Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for MDD and PTSD, as well as TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for any period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use assistive devices and other conditions contributing to his ambulation difficulties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left shoulder dislocation, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, and major depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to a lack of private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective as of February 27, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and GAD, was granted in a January 2023 rating decision. The matter is dismissed as the appeal has been resolved.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and HIV. The Veteran needs additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for his psychiatric disorder remains at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded the issues of higher ratings and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a new VA examination. A TDIU claim is also being remanded as the Veteran has not provided her educational and occupational history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health disabilities, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective July 9, 2018. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting to withdraw his appeals.,The Veteran has service-connected disabilities including Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Asthma, Major Depressive Disorder with Borderline Personality Disorder, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Knee, Degenerative Disc Disease with Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, and Degenerative Disc Disease with Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to noise exposure during active duty.,Service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The hearing loss case is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for specific phobia, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hip condition as secondary to back disability, rating in excess of 20 percent for specific phobia, rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are all granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for specific phobia is set at December 27, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected depressive disorder and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with MDD, is granted a disability rating of 70 percent but no higher prior to February 21, 2014. From that date forward, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating from June 26, 2015 to March 16, 2018. The effective date for this award is June 26, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of valid PTSD diagnosis. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service and granted.,The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.