Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of service connection for tension headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bursitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical strain is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left rotator cuff impingement syndrome is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for left rotator cuff impingement syndrome is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with strain of the lumbar spine is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the assignment of a separate compensable rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression is granted prior to September 1, 2020. However, the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent from September 1, 2020, forward is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with other specific trauma and stressor related disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent from April 1, 2017. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating effective November 21, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his in-service stressor of physical assault by a drill instructor.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn, leaving the issues of left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability to be decided.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability was reopened based on new evidence showing a connection to service. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability was granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss, service connection for psychiatric and cognitive disabilities secondary to hearing loss, and TDIU due to his hearing impairment. The claims are being remanded because new examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's disability and opinions are required regarding whether his psychiatric and cognitive issues are related to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective November 29, 2017. The Veteran's asthma is rated at 60 percent, also effective November 29, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected condition and for consideration of a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for corneal scarring was withdrawn. The left ankle fracture residuals, status-post surgery, are rated at 10 percent.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent and the Veteran is granted a TDIU as of June 21, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including depression, back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and kidney disease. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence or undergo medical examinations regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, an acquired respiratory condition, and diabetes mellitus type II due to potential service connection based on in-service exposure. The Veteran's reported incidents aboard USS Hornet are to be verified, a VA examination is needed for his respiratory condition, and a VA medical opinion is required regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 18, 2017 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and verifying in-service stressors.

The claim of service connection for hearing loss is denied.,The claims of effective date earlier than June 17, 2017, for service connection for tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome are both denied.,The claim of a rating higher than 70 percent for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and panic attacks is denied.,The claim of an earlier effective date for the grant of 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and panic attacks is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder). The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development of her claim. The matter will be returned to the AOJ for initial consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and GAD, which are believed to be related to military sexual trauma. The VA is instructed to obtain treatment records from Fort Huachuca and provide a supplemental opinion on the diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU based solely on his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease prior to June 1, 2022, and a 30 percent disability rating thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further adjudication.