Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and neck disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tension headaches, sleep apnea, a right ankle disability, and bronchitis have been dismissed as the benefits sought on appeal were granted in full.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective November 19, 2009. He also received a TDIU rating effective September 30, 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and increased ratings for Raynaud's syndrome due to a lack of verified in-service stressor events, insufficient medical evidence linking current conditions to service, and failure to meet all criteria for a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders did not meet the criteria for higher staged initial ratings.,The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions did not meet the criteria for higher staged initial ratings.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, hernia, and sinus disorder have been reopened. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder.,Secondary service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea due to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and residuals of a dental injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure history and etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions alone. Additionally, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status due to his 100% service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA psychiatric examination and review of the ratings assigned for his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder, is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record. The Board will seek a clarification from a medical examiner regarding whether these conditions began during or were caused by his active naval service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including OSA, a left hand condition, an acquired psychiatric disability, and right and left shoulder conditions. The issues related to these conditions are no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent disability rating for depressive disorder was restored to 30 percent effective May 1, 2016. For the entire initial rating period from May 10, 2014, a higher (70%) initial disability rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% disability rating for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is granted from August 31, 2012. The issue of TDIU due to the psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot. Service connection for COPD and heart disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) is granted as service connected. The claim for TDIU prior to September 14, 2022, is also granted.

The Veteran's oral cancer, which caused his death, is being remanded for a VA opinion to determine its relationship to service exposure at Camp Lejeune and/or herbicide exposure from Vietnam. Additionally, the bilateral lower extremity disorders are also being remanded for a VA opinion on their relation to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as he was able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, even though his service-connected disabilities caused him some functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was denied. The Board found that the increase in MDD did not occur within one year of the July 25, 2016, claim.,Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral shoulder and knee conditions are related to service.