Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder from October 1, 2011. However, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The Board has also remanded the remaining issues of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disorders and whether he has additional disability caused by VA's delay in treating him from his initial visits to the VAMC for symptoms of stroke.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from November 10, 2018, due to service-connected depressive disorder. He also qualified for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

Your previously granted service connection for PTSD includes the claimed anxiety, depression, insomnia, and memory loss. The appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, effective from August 2, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, recurrent depressive disorder, and SSD, has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence presented raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress are rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Prior to July 11, 2019, the Veteran is granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected PTSD, as no recent evaluation has been conducted since November 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and need for a new VA examination. The issues include determining if her acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as their relationship to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, and migraine headaches due to a lack of VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his TDIU claim. The issues of rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder, rating in excess of 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy, and rating in excess of 30 percent for neck disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 29, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported stressors and medical records, as well as insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his mental health disorders. The Veteran will need a VA examination to address these issues.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and PTSD with MDD and polysubstance use disorder. Service connection is denied for TBI residuals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The Veteran should be provided with a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 22, 2016 for a rating of 70% for his Major Depressive Disorder is granted. The claim for increased ratings prior to and after this date is denied.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate is granted, effective August 5, 2013. The decision also includes a finding of TDIU based on her back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the nature of his acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if any of his diagnosed conditions are related to his service.