Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vascular steal syndrome, hypertension, right knee post traumatic arthritis, and MDD are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, previously rated as generalized anxiety disorder and opioid use disorder, is now rated at 50 percent for the entire period on appeal prior to December 3, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder alone has been found to prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). Effective January 7, 2020, the Veteran is also granted Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to his additional service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding stressor verification and etiology.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, disc bulges, and right ankle arthritis was dismissed. The appeals for seborrheic dermatitis, right knee disability, TMJ, and major depressive disorder were granted.,The Veteran is now entitled to an increased rating of 40 percent for his right foot disability, a 50 percent rating for his right wrist degenerative arthritis from April 26, 2016, and a TDIU from August 8, 2016 to October 19, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and the need for additional evidence.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as depression and PTSD is granted. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as depression and PTSD is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the December 2016 VA PTSD examination and the need for additional records, including from the Veteran's treatment at Bay Pines VAMC and VistaWeb.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his right knee, left hip, and acquired psychiatric disorder conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities or other events.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder and depression, and schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating from July 25, 2015 to September 7, 2017. Other issues related to PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to June 20, 2022, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's residual scar associated with intervertebral disc syndrome did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

Your claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including persistent depressive disorder (also claimed as PTSD and adjustment disorder), has been granted by the Regional Office effective June 28, 2013. The Board is dismissing your appeal because the Regional Office already granted your claim.

The appeal regarding entitlement to a higher rating for TBI is dismissed. A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The issues are inextricably intertwined with his claim of service connection for a psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the failure of a VA examination. The issues include back disability, hearing loss, mental health disabilities (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and allergy.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been decided. The issues of SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right hand disability, and entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder prior to November 7, 2017 have been dismissed.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has been rated as severe flatfoot. The issue of service connection for a left wrist disability secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability to include PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 14, 2017 was denied as he had substantial and gainful employment. The Board remanded the case due to a potential issue with service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and the retrieval of relevant medical records.