Depression decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to in-service events.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for restoration of a 100 percent rating for prostate cancer and TDIU prior to September 23, 2014, as well as service connection for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of appeal after the Appellant withdrew her claims.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot pain, back disability, hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and neurobehavioral effects related to chemical exposure. The claims for insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, right knee condition, left knee condition, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and alcohol abuse are remanded due to the need for further examination and evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its decision regarding a higher rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and PTSD. The Court found that the Board's October 2019 findings were conclusory in the absence of adequate foundation, citing Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49 (1990).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorder and TBI residuals, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability records. The Veteran may also be scheduled for a neuropsychological examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and a rating for depressive disorder. The Veteran's representative is seeking to appeal the initial rating assigned for depressive disorder, but this issue does not affect the main appeal of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and a compensable rating for right foot hallux valgus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a chest pain condition, left knee disability (including as secondary to right knee disability), acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and COPD due to additional VA medical records being added to the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to his service-connected persistent depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), degenerative disc disease and arthritis, status post C4-C5 laminoplasty, degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and cervical radiculopathy, upper radicular nerve group, left upper extremity. The latter condition is also granted as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease and arthritis, status post C4-C5 laminoplasty.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 5, 2020 is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate his AMA appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and lack of medical evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various psychiatric conditions, bulimia, PVC, costochondritis, and UTI/childbirth complications.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability, left foot disability, psychiatric disorder, dental disability, and back disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder were granted a 50 percent rating prior to October 14, 2022. From that date, the Veteran was denied an increased disability rating beyond 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is granted. The right shoulder disability case is remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that her current conditions are at least as likely as not related to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including recurrent major depression and unspecified anxiety disorder, is found to be secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine disability.,His left foot and left great toe disabilities are also found to be secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine disability.