Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeals concerning increased disability ratings for lumbar strain and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for another VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, anxiety, and PTSD. The examiner is asked to determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, right inguinal hernia, and kidney stones are all found to be related to his service-connected disabilities. The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder disability is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, and dysthymic disorder. The case is now pending for a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was granted a disability rating of 30 percent from December 7, 2016 to April 14, 2020 and a rating of 70 percent from April 15, 2020 to November 21, 2021. The claim for service connection for CFS was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee conditions, PTSD, depression, chronic anger state, and alcohol abuse have been granted due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and depression has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder was granted, but only effective from January 16, 2020. The RO found that the condition warranted a 70% disability rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder as secondary to PTSD, opioid dependence and cocaine dependence, and tobacco use disorder due to lack of credible supporting evidence for claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 25, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance / housebound status due to inadequate development of evidence. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, is being reviewed again as part of this remand.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for headaches and remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to a VA catheter ablation procedure. The Veteran's representative requested compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, but the Board found no additional disability as a result of the procedure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depression or PTSD. The examiner is requested to address whether any diagnosed condition is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is related to her service, specifically her deployment in Kuwait while serving in the Army Reserves. Therefore, the claim for service connection for depression is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate mental health examination and failure to obtain a new VA examination for residual scarring. The Veteran is also seeking an additional mental disability, specifically depressive disorder, related to her hysterectomy.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional opinions regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder (claimed as PTSD), and whether his obesity may be an intermediary step in causing or aggravating his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and a supplemental statement of the case.