Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are rated at their maximum levels. The Board has granted a TDIU based on her service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. The case is remanded for further development regarding the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder and whether it is related to or aggravated by the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 70 percent for depression is granted. The claim for an increased disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from October 9, 2018, is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, GAD, MDD, schizoaffective disorder, and unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder. The examiner is asked to identify any current psychiatric disorders found on examination or that have existed since May 2017, as well as whether each current disorder originated during service or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 24, 2020, was dismissed. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to October 14, 2013.

Your appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to your withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for her psychiatric disability and ankle disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and her military service.

The Veteran's major depression is rated at a 70 percent rating effective November 4, 2016. Service connection for bilateral pes planus was granted with an effective date of November 4, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address service connection claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and other psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's attorney argues that his sleep apnea is related to his service-connected psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature of his psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disability, and bilateral flat feet. The case is also being remanded for a determination on whether he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination opinions. The issues of service connection are now pending.

The Board has remanded several claims of service connection due to the need for additional records from the Dallas VAMC, which may be relevant to these cases.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD symptoms and resulting impairment are now rated at 70 percent from June 19, 2015 to April 28, 2017. The Veteran's lumbar stenosis of L5-S1 is rated at 10 percent prior to May 9, 2022 and denied for a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date. The Veteran's paresthesia of the lingual branch of the right mandibular nerve is rated at 10 percent prior to May 9, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and MDD, finding that his symptoms are related to his active service. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for his major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is caused by a service-connected disability, and the partial hysterectomy was due to service. The acquired psychiatric disorders other than depressive disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, forehead laceration, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

PTSD and allergic rhinitis have been granted with specific ratings.,Migraines, eczema (claimed as skin condition), sleep apnea, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remain pending issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease, left knee instability, depressive disorder, right shoulder disability, and TDIU due to service-connected disability.