Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the case to obtain a VA examination and determine if a higher rating is warranted, as well as whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with obtaining and reviewing medical records, as well as needing a VA examination. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder has been reopened, and both conditions are now granted as they are related to his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disability. The psychiatric disability claims are remanded as there is insufficient information regarding the relationship between the service-connected tinnitus and the diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's mood disorder has been rated at 30 percent since April 24, 2009 and at 50 percent since July 29, 2012. The Board finds the evidence shows more significant symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors and for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his residual scar and depressive disorder were denied. The Veteran's residual scar is currently rated at 30 percent, while the depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to August 2, 2019, and 70 percent thereafter.,A separate compensable rating of 10 percent for a painful scar was granted from May 13, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are deemed to have rendered him unemployable since November 2008, and the Board has referred the issue of TDIU prior to May 9, 2014, on an extraschedular basis for further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the diagnoses and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the August 2016 decision did not become final due to VA's failure to properly notify the Veteran of the January 2017 SOC. The claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded, and an increased rating for MDD is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of major depression was reopened on December 13, 2012. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at December 13, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and left knee conditions, do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss and depression secondary to his service-connected meningitis has been granted, as well as the effective dates for his PTSD and TDIU claims. The decision also reopened a previously denied claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for depression as it is a symptom of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening of her service connection claims for joint pain and depressive disorder, but has remanded the issue of service connection for COPD due to exposure to burn pits during active duty in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for the residuals of a TBI with major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with vertigo, as well as the claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic headaches associated with the residuals of a TBI. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo additional examinations to determine the current nature and severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. Service connection was also established for major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and trauma-related disorder. The Veteran's back disability is now rated at 40 percent from January 24, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymic disorder and persistent depressive disorder, but remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 17, 2019. The case is also remanded for further development regarding a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss after June 17, 2019.