Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, MDD, and various physical conditions were denied. The Board found that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or other incident to support the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's asthma and OSA have been granted service connection. Diabetes, CHF, high blood pressure, stroke, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and anxiety are also granted.,Service connection for diabetes type II (diabetes), congestive heart failure (CHF), high blood pressure, and stroke is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from being able to perform daily activities and if he requires regular aid and attendance.

An effective date of May 29, 2008 is granted for the award of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The Veteran's claims for a back disability and somatic dysfunction are remanded. Service connection for ED as secondary to MDD is also granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder has been granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective April 11, 2023. However, a rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an administrative error in the system, and he must file a VA Form 9 to perfect his appeal on this issue.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate and unspecified neurocognitive disorder; an effective date prior to April 5, 2018, for the 70 percent rating increase; and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 20, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted effective as of his date of claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient information regarding his in-service military environmental exposures. Additional development is needed to determine if he served in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia during a specific time period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 4, 2022, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory condition are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with major depression is related to his active service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD with secondary MDD and Crohn's disease were denied. The appeal for TDIU was dismissed as moot due to the Veteran already receiving a 100 percent combined schedular rating.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore being returned to the Regional Office for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent psychiatric disability to include PTSD and a depressive disorder is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a recurrent respiratory disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder prior to October 25, 2017 and entitlement to TDIU prior to that date are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing heart condition or acquired psychiatric disability in service.