Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is now service-connected. His sleep apnea has also been granted a disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims are granted due to his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress, which is rated as total disability. The Veteran also has other service-connected disabilities independently rated at 60 percent or more from November 17, 2020.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating allowed under VA criteria.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding his current cervical spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder. The exact nature of any current cervical spine condition needs to be confirmed, and a VA examination should be obtained. Additionally, efforts should be made to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressors related to car accidents and proximity to the North Korean border.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, is reopened. However, the Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, secondary to his service-connected residuals of brain contusion/TBI and COPD is granted. The issues of entitlement to higher disability ratings for residuals of brain contusion/TBI and COPD, and the reduction in COPD rating are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the addition of VA examination and treatment records after the most recent statement of the case, which were not considered in the previous decision. A supplemental statement of the case must be issued to consider these new records.

The Veteran's claims for SMC and ED rating are remanded due to conflicting information regarding the onset of his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's mixed headaches and major depressive disorder associated with TBI are being remanded for further evaluation.,A new examination is required to assess the severity of the Veteran's conditions, including his TBI.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran is required to attend the scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and Depressive Disorder with Alcohol Dependence are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a rating in excess of this level.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and opinions regarding his treatment at VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The AOJ is required to review this new evidence and consider its impact on the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, right hip disability, left hip disability, and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and potential relevance of Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the remand directives and thus, a new remand is necessary to ensure due process and a complete record for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the low back disability at 10 percent. The Board denied both requests for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand instructions regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and periods during the appeal period in which his psychological impairment increased.