Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as he has been employed since May 2016 and meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a retrospective medical opinion regarding hypothyroidism manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) and a right knee disability. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 30, 2022 and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter for other specified trauma or stressor disorder (PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of anxiety or depression.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and migraine headaches have been granted increased ratings, with the MDD receiving a 70% rating and the migraines receiving a 30% rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder was denied in April 2021. The Court granted a remand in April 2022.,Since August 23, 2021, the Veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 70 percent for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection and rating of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was granted with a 70% rating effective May 1, 2015. The Board found that the evidence supported an initial 70% rating due to occupational and social impairment but did not meet total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as a back condition, are dismissed due to the grant of service connection for PTSD in March 2021. The Board finds that his symptoms of anxiety and depression are included in his diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, claimed as acute reactive depression; diabetes mellitus; dermatitis; and toenail onychomycosis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with panic attacks, MDD and unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attacks, finding that it had its onset during service due to a personal assault.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is considered new and material evidence has been received, but service connection for the condition remains denied due to lack of direct evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS and major depressive disorder associated with IVDS, which arise from a common etiology, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 11, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression, an enlarged prostate, and hepatitis B. The Board found no current disability in these conditions at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, migraine headaches (secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus), and unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the adjustment disorder with anxiety & depression is denied. The decision is mixed as it grants one condition but denies another.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has dismissed the claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and the claim for service connection for PTSD due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) prior to May 26, 2021. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is referred to the Director, VA Compensation Service.