Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD). The appellant is eligible to receive accrued benefits up to $4,020.18 for expenses related to her mother's burial.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety disability is now rated at 70 percent, effective June 6, 2019. The decision also granted service connection for PTSD and Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his mental health diagnoses, specifically whether they were caused or aggravated by his now service-connected inguinal hernia.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his right shoulder disability. The claims for increased ratings are being returned for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his right knee conditions. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for depression and TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's depression, specifically whether it is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted with an initial disability rating of 50 percent effective January 27, 2018.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, and PTSD; and sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a 50% evaluation for the period prior to February 17, 2022. For the period from February 17, 2022, his MDD is rated at 70%. The evaluations for right and left leg sciatic nerve radiculopathy remain at 10%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including GAD, PTSD, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The AOJ will schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is severe enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including TBI, are granted at a 50% rating prior to October 27, 2014 and at a 70% rating from August 2, 2019 until July 13, 2022. A separate compensable rating for residuals of the TBI is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the appeal period prior to August 7, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and related psychiatric conditions, including depression, adjustment disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also had his hypertension claim remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, is etiologically related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress, alcohol use disorder and tobacco use disorder, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and information regarding his employment status.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health at the time of his misconduct, and to obtain a full copy of his service personnel records.

The Veteran's death was caused by methadone toxicity, not his service-connected PTSD. The Board found the evidence does not support a connection between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.