Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder to include mood disorder and anxiety has been granted a disability rating of 100 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses of PTSD and insufficient evidence for verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors. The case also requires a VA examination to determine if depression is related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings in both conditions, and the Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric including PTSD and/or unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a stressor related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety, and depression are rated at 70 percent from May 2, 2016. The issue of TDIU prior to March 6, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development. The case of service connection for a cervical spine disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the appeal is only to this extent. The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen his claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, high blood pressure, and migraines. Further development is needed before the merits of these claims can be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (previously rated as OCD with depressive disorder) has been dismissed because he withdrew the appeal in February 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for an increased rating and his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence of current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders were denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) was previously denied, but the appeal is granted as her symptoms are related to active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder and major depressive disorder, is related to his service-connected lumbar strain disability. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for both the low back disorder and psychiatric disorders are inadequate to decide the claims. The Veteran's service records show a history of in-service back problems, and he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression during his active duty. A new examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from performing the physical and mental acts required for employment from April 1, 2015, to December 10, 2019.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence of service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is granted a disability rating of 70 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and left ear hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from November 17, 2003 to May 6, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and missed opportunities for examination. The Veteran's anxiety disorder and bilateral flat foot ratings are being reviewed with new medical evaluations and consideration of additional VA treatment notes.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes has been granted. The case is remanded for further development and rating actions.