Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right knee disability and depressive disorder, have caused him to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 31, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU from June 1, 2015 to the present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. Specifically, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded as there are no opinions provided regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and a generalized anxiety disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such disabilities during active service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder and subsequent reclassified MDD have been evaluated as 10%, 30%, and 50% prior to, from July 2014 to March 2016, and from March 2016 to December 2022 respectively. The Veteran is denied an evaluation in excess of these ratings.,The Veteran's vestibular migraines have not been evaluated as exceeding the initial 30% assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its determinations, failure to comply with duty to assist, and need for a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, with the condition believed to have onset during service and aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as she does not have a current disability that meets the criteria for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as her current diagnosis of tinnitus began during service and has continued to the present.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, left first toe disability, and right ankle disability prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was granted a 100% rating from August 16, 2013.,His claim for total individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 29, 2019 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart condition due to exposure during military service is remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's MDD and lumbar spine disability ratings, as well as his TDIU eligibility. The Veteran's claims are now effective as of March 15, 2012.

The appeal for service connection for right median sensorimotor neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, left and right shin splints, cataracts, deviated septum, depression, a right elbow disorder, and a heart disorder has been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for hypertension (secondary to PTSD) has been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted in part.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) has been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted in part.,The claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeals are granted in part.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for anxiety and depression have been dismissed as the June 2019 grant of PTSD with a 50% rating effectively resolved these claims.,Service connection has not been established for any other conditions.

The Veteran's discharge was due to a service-connected disability, allowing her to receive the maximum educational assistance benefits rate of 100 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and also denied his request for a temporary total evaluation due to hospitalization for a service-connected condition. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted, and that the Veteran did not attend a scheduled VA examination which could have provided relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, higher ratings for his depressive disorder and diabetic nephropathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's facial scars do not warrant a rating in excess of 80 percent. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for major depressive disorder, as well as individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder, is also denied. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have such condition during his period of active service and it is less likely than not related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.