Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including employment records from the convention center where he worked. A new VA examination is also required to assess the current severity of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and major depressive disorder. The rating of 50 percent is assigned effective June 5, 2017. Other claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and verification of stressors.

The Veteran's pituitary disability is remanded for further evaluation, and her secondary psychiatric disability and TDIU claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's neurobehavioral disorder, including ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Her cardiac disability, including tachycardia and arrhythmias, is also granted as service connected based on the same exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record, including records from the Veteran's 1968 hospitalization following a fall in the shower. The VA is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and schedule an examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, anxiety, or depression are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his other disabilities. The rhinitis with history of sinus infections, OSA, and tinnitus are all rated at the maximum allowed under current criteria. Service connection for scar from right great toe surgery is granted but not effective prior to April 24, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder, claimed as PTSD, began during or is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with previous remand directives and proper development for the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with major depression, B personality disorder, and cocaine dependency, is rated at a maximum possible disability rating (100%) throughout the entire period on appeal.

Service connection for IBS is granted, while service connection for PTSD and Personality Disorder is denied. The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression and bipolar disorder remains at a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed chronic fatigue syndrome and her reported fatigue symptoms. The case will be reviewed again after additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was dismissed as moot because he has been in receipt of a total (100 percent) disability rating since February 26, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or aggravated by alcohol and stimulant use disorders.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for major depressive disorder due to an inadequate VA examination and internal inconsistency in the examiner's findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to November 2, 2009, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depression. The decision found that the award was not based on newly obtained official service department records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, are causally related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective September 25, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and additional medical development.