Depression decisions — 2023

Your claim for service connection for anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia has been dismissed as you opted into the modernized appeals system.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder claims are being remanded for further evaluation, including a new VA examination. The TDIU claim is also being deferred until the PTSD and depressive disorder claims are resolved.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 100 percent, and therefore his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as a progression of PTSD. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is not related to his military service and therefore denied service connection for depression.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder was denied as the earliest legal effective date is May 29, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and a psychiatric disorder, were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or chronic symptoms related to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and that prostate cancer and depression are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims for arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings. The effective date of service connection for hypertension is denied as it arose after July 30, 2013.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, effective July 22, 2010. A separate TDIU rating is granted from November 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) with social anxiety disorder is already rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Mental Disorders. Therefore, a higher disability rating in excess of 70 percent cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of service treatment records and a need for additional VA treatment records from the Vet Center in White Oak, Pennsylvania.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for unspecified depressive disorder were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's pre-existing condition noted at entrance into service. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, previously rated as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, has been increased to a 50 percent rating effective September 29, 2017. The current rating reflects occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment and flattened affect.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, a compensable disability rating for hypertension, and increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, is related to service and granted. Service connection for bilateral Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Veteran was granted service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder and migraines, with a 50% disability rating.,His tinnitus is also now service-connected.