Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD and MDD, as well as for headaches disability. The TDIU claim is also on hold until further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and secondary alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, and erectile dysfunction (ED) due to potential service-related causes. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with a focus on obtaining medical opinions regarding his conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,Service connection for testicular cancer was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied by the Board. The evidence showed occupational and social impairment, but not total occupational and social impairment as required for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence to support reopening of his claim. The case is now remanded for further development including an examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD with major depressive disorder with psychotic features, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's deviated septum and acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) have not been linked to service.,Service connection for a TDIU prior to October 1, 2015, has also been denied.

The Board has remanded two issues: the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder; and his claim for service connection for alcoholism and drug addiction as secondary to his depression. The claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The appeals for increased rating and earlier effective date for the Veteran's depressive disorder have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a claim of direct or secondary service connection. The Veteran's claimed conditions were diagnosed as depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, but there was no evidence linking these to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to open medical questions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for psychiatric disorder. The appeal will be readjudicated after a new medical opinion is obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted an initial increased disability rating of 50 percent, and his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is granted an initial increased disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded due to inadequate development, specifically regarding an examination that was not conducted as per previous directives.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted. The initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 1, 2021, remains in appellate status as the RO has already granted a higher rating effective from that date. Right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremity neuropathies are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including cannabis disorder claimed as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping; increased ratings for right and left knee disorders; increased ratings for right and left ankle disorders; and a TDIU. Additional evidence is needed to determine if his cannabis use disorder is secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal regarding the ratings and effective dates for major depressive disorder and Crohn's disease. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 1, 2019.