Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, ulcerative colitis with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and depression and anxiety have all been granted service connection.,Service connection for these conditions is based on direct evidence of their onset during or related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hallux valgus of feet, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depressive disorder, has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with regards to establishing a link between the Veteran's depression and his active service, thus granting the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. An additional VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressors of combat exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied an initial disability rating of 100 percent for major depressive disorder with sleep disturbance, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to December 11, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia was granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective April 8, 2020. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on occupational and social functioning.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition. The claim for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic symptoms, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder, was rated at a 70 percent prior to March 4, 2020. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and development of his claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD and gastritis are denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct or presumptive service connection. However, his PTSD claim is granted based on personal assaults / a pattern of harassment during active duty.,PTSD service connection is granted due to in-service personal assaults / a pattern of harassment. Major depressive disorder with associated anxiety, insomnia, and memory loss are also granted as they can be linked to the Veteran's period of active service.,The Veteran's bowel disturbance with abdominal distress (an intestinal condition) qualifies as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. � 3.317 due to his Persian Gulf service. His type II diabetes mellitus is also granted as a qualifying chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness.,Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain) and hypertension are both granted secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain).,PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and polysubstance abuse disorders are all granted as secondary to his now service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 20 percent rating based on orthopedic manifestations. His tension headaches have been granted the maximum 50 percent rating from August 26, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent and his claim for increased rating remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder and Neurocognitive Disorders, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service head injury.

The March 16, 2015 rating decision was not revised due to clear and unmistakable error. The claim for service connection of GAD and MDD with other unspecified personality disorder is reopened. PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically depressive disorder and neurocognitive disorder. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 17, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.