Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are found to be related to his service experience in the helicopter during basic training. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's statements are assumed true, and a VA examination is needed to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed disorders.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with persistent depressed disorder and major depressive episode, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused or aggravated his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed hospitalizations and diagnoses. The Veteran is asked to provide details about his alleged treatment at Lincoln House Residence for Men.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia, anxiety, and depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected bilateral tinnitus disability.

The Board granted service connection for recurrent major depressive disorder effective October 20, 2009. The Veteran's original claim was denied in February 1994 and reopened again on October 20, 2009.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted a compensable rating of 10%.,The claim for service connection of sleep apnea has been reopened, and the issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a groin disability has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder with alcoholism and substance abuse, which is service-connected.,Service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was established based on direct evidence showing degenerative changes in the spine during service.

A disability rating of 100 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol abuse in remission is granted, effective from May 18, 2017.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is established from May 18, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and traumatic plantar fasciitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and additional evidence is needed before service connection for a psychiatric disorder can be determined.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is granted a 100 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea/hypopnea and did not grant an increased disability rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety and insomnia. The Veteran's current disabilities are already encompassed in the existing service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his unspecified depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's IBS was granted a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent from June 17, 2022. The TDIU claim is denied prior to April 10, 2018. The PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety issue requires additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all contentions for the appeal scheduled before the Board.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for a left hip disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The claims are being remanded to obtain addendum opinions from the April 2023 examiners.

The Veteran's depression is rated at a 70 percent rating from September 22, 2020. The effective date for this increased rating is September 22, 2020.