Depression decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that it is less likely than not that his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU was granted. The effective dates are November 16, 2015 (for the grant of service connection) and November 16, 2016 (for the grant of TDIU).

The Board has decided that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and has granted a TDIU. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for sarcoidosis remains pending as it requires further development.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The matter is remanded due to conflicting opinions and incomplete record.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.,The Veteran is granted service connection for sleep apnea, which is etiologically related to his service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression and substance dependence is granted, but the TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial rating for depression is granted at a 70 percent level effective October 3, 2002. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for depression is denied. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were denied for periods prior to January 13, 2016, and from January 13, 2016, to August 10, 2019.

The Veteran's neck and back disabilities are granted as they are related to his active service.,The Veteran's kidney stones were not caused by his military service, but the Board finds that his urinary tract issues are secondary to his kidney stones.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The issue of service connection for a prostate disability remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and requires further evaluation to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and depression. The examination did not adequately address existing medical evidence of record or consider other possible diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded as inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability alone has been found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 9, 2017. TDIU and SMC at the 's' rate are granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as MST, depression, anxiety, suicide attempts and substance abuse) due to new evidence submitted. However, it denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus with a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent, effective from February 21, 2018.,Initial ratings of 10 percent for right and left knee disabilities based on limited flexion are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions and records to address service connection claims, rating determinations, and other issues. The Board will consider the evidence and make a decision on these matters.