Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records. The right elbow disability claim is remanded due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding its etiology. The psychiatric disorder claim requires readjudication in light of new relevant VA-generated evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss, increased rating for osteoarthritis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for a left wrist disorder due to additional development being needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer and grants this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities (PTSD, major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety state) and neurocognitive disorder (Alzheimer's dementia), finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's in-service stressors. The appeal for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and whether they are sufficient for service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, but the Board found that there was not enough evidence linking his claimed conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his lumbar spine strain at 10 percent. His combined disability rating is 70 percent.,The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete reasoning. The claims are now before the VA for further review.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to posttraumatic stress disorder or a depressive disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is part of his service-connected PTSD, and therefore, he cannot be granted separate service connection for it.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted a 70% rating effective January 4, 2016.,A separate 10% rating for left knee instability is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms, as six years have passed since his last VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered based on this updated evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD with recurrent MDD and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, a contemporaneous VA examination, and readjudication of both issues.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression as secondary to hearing loss has been granted.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed, and the issue of compensation for a kidney disorder resulting from VA treatment is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder and depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective February 28, 2013.,The Veteran also has a TDIU granted with the effective date to be assigned by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for persistent depressive disorder was previously denied in May 2003 and February 2014. The effective date of December 15, 2016, is the earliest possible effective date as it corresponds to when the Veteran submitted a new claim after receiving notice of the final denial.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, and the case is remanded due to the need for updated VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as his employment history needs clarification.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is caused by or related to in-service marital issues.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70% effective February 4, 2013. The rating for hepatitis C remains at 100%, effective September 8, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, due to inadequate examination findings. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, as these conditions may be related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.