Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 21, 2020, and a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected GAD with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's service treatment records are not included in the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, and all claims have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of adjustment disorder and depression are related to an in-service sexual assault, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressor and a need for a VA examination to determine if her current psychiatric diagnoses are related to her service, including her alleged sexual assault.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) from February 7, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the file after the last decision. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for review and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete VA examinations and a need for additional evidence, particularly from Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, and further development is required.

The Veteran's claims for cysts in both feet, arthritis in both feet, and psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder) have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions during the pendency of the claims. Service connection has been granted for a psychiatric disorder but not for cysts or arthritis in both feet. The Veteran's low back disability and upper back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The appeal for service connection for sleep disturbance, including sleep apnea is dismissed. The rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is denied and the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated as 70 percent disabling throughout the period on appeal. The Board has granted a disability rating of 100 percent for total occupational and social impairment caused by the Veteran's depressive disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, was granted service connection. The right hip degenerative joint disease and related issues were denied with some evaluations being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is related to service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is granted. The Board finds the VA examiner's opinions along with Dr. A.A.'s positive nexus opinion persuasive in granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for right knee strain, as well as service connection for lower back condition, cervical arthritis with spondylotic changes, and left arm neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed stressor during military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral heel spurs, and a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. The claims are granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for acquired mental health disability, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service stressors have been accepted as credible evidence, and there is a competent medical opinion linking his anxiety disorder to military sexual trauma experienced during service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and anxiety are currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available. The Board found that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.