Depression decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for a back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability and denied an increased rating for depressive disorder.

Service connection granted for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood and denied for left shoulder arthritis. The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability began during service, while his current left shoulder condition is not related to in-service symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression, a back disability, and a skin disorder other than pseudofolliculitis barbae due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of record, including incomplete SPRs and conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's OSA. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and breast cancer have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a determination on these claims.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 30% prior to April 1, 2015, and 50% since that date. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,TDIU prior to April 1, 2015, was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected chest scar. The earlier effective date claim for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's disability increased in severity prior to his April 18, 2022 claim. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no legal authority to assign such a date, given that the RO has already assigned the earliest possible effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and secondary service connection for depression. The right ankle disability is found to be related to the Veteran's active service, while his depression is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder required hospital treatment in a VA domiciliary program for more than 21 days, which qualifies for a temporary total evaluation. The decision is effective from July 12, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as secondary to Migraine Headaches, finding no current diagnosis of MDD in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The decision also grants secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,Secondary service connection is also granted for hypersomnia as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder (variously diagnosed as major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder).,Increased SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) prior to November 9, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show that his MDD warranted a 100 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 12, 2020 for the grant of a 60 percent rating for lung cancer was denied as there were no unadjudicated increased rating claims and it was not factually ascertainable that his lung cancer met the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 6, 2019, for the grant of service connection of PTSD is granted. The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD to include depression and anxiety remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and migraines render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board dismissed the claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative joint/disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome due to a withdrawal by the Veteran. The claims for increased ratings for unspecified depressive disorder are remanded, as is the TDIU claim.

The Board has denied an initial rating greater than 20 percent for right shoulder strain and has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disorders, OSA, diabetes, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.