Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from November 18, 2016. The PTSD with depressive disorder rating is denied as the evidence does not show an increase in disability within one year prior to the date of receipt of his increased evaluation claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since September 4, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU due to service-connected major depressive disorder prior to December 27, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder is denied as the Veteran did not become entitled to this rating until August 7, 2017.

The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's depressive disorder from April 18, 2017 to November 7, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, and a VA examination to assess the severity of her urinary tract infection with cystitis. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected urinary and gynecological disabilities, as well as rating and effective date determinations.

For the appeal period prior to December 6, 2022, a rating in excess of 50 percent for MDD is denied. As of December 6, 2022, a rating of 70 percent but no higher is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar muscle strain and PTSD with major depressive disorder and amphetamine and alcohol use disorders are being remanded due to incomplete examinations and the need for clarification on the nature and severity of his diagnosed intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and related peripheral neuropathies are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was denied. The claims for increased ratings for COPD and emphysema were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety; a left wrist condition; tinnitus; and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and nightmare disorder. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder with depression, is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating. Additionally, the Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from January 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and disability ratings. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated as 50 percent disabling from August 2, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected skin disability and/or low back disability due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, social isolation, chronic sleep impairment, hypervigilance, difficulty with concentration, anhedonia, and exaggerated startle response. These symptoms resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran is requested to provide additional records from UC Davis Health Group for review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right wrist condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus) rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent from November 15, 2011, to October 3, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates has been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU award. For his sleep apnea claim, the Board has determined that a remand for further examination and opinion is necessary.