Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded issues related to heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (including depression), hypertension, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, are being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with other specified personality disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The AOJ is instructed to consider all evidence added to the record since the September 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case, including VA treatment records and any additional pertinent evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) is dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have agreed that there is no longer a question of law or fact for the Board to rule on. The appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, migraine condition, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for separate ratings for digestive conditions and earlier effective dates for SMC benefits were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to SMC (o) based on his service-connected disabilities, which require him to have aid and attendance. He also qualifies for SMC (r)(1).

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder is granted a 100 percent disability rating throughout the entire appeal period.

Your appeal for service connection for depression and anxiety has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and borderline personality disorder. The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric claim.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder is granted a higher rating of 70 percent, effective August 2, 2016. Service connection for headaches is also granted as secondary to her MDD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The case is being returned to the RO for additional development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health diagnoses.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete medical records and insufficient nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran has other acquired psychiatric disorders, but remands to obtain an opinion on whether these are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD prior to December 15, 2016 and for TDIU prior to that date was denied. The decision is based on the evidence showing reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, emotional detachment, and social isolation.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, chronic kidney disease, liver condition (claimed as cirrhosis and liver cancer), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder and depression) due to insufficient evidence addressing service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder and found it related to the Veteran's active duty service in the U.S. Army.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression as secondary to prostate cancer has been granted, leaving no unresolved issues. The appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a TDIU based on these conditions, are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, polysubstance use, adjustment disorder, and antisocial personality disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development, particularly in verifying his claimed stressors.