Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety and personality disorders was denied. His acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, is rated at 70 percent prior to October 27, 2017, and at 100 percent thereafter.

The Board dismissed the claims for SMC based on aid and attendance due to a full grant of benefits in October 2022. The claim for SMC based on housebound status was denied as the Veteran did not meet the statutory requirement of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100% disabling.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease have been rated at 70 percent since December 19, 2011. The Board has remanded the case for further development.,The Veteran is currently assigned a 70 percent evaluation for his service-connected mental health disability.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities have been granted a higher rating, and she has also been granted TDIU. The claims for autoimmune disorder and cardiomyopathy are being remanded.

The Veteran's TBI with MDD was granted a 70 percent rating, effective from May 27, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and consideration of his service connection claims, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his left knee disorder and psychiatric disability. The rating for his back disability is also remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include other specified trauma or stressor-related disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, is granted a 70% rating for the period prior to April 4, 2022. For the period from April 4, 2022, he is granted a 100% rating.

The Veteran's depression, with alcohol abuse, and liver disease are granted service connection for accrued purposes.,The Veteran's liver disease is found to be secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified depressive disorder, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and recurrent manic depression. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded pending the assignment of a rating for the newly granted service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to incomplete development and lack of proper consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and missed VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling further medical evaluations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of July 30, 2019 due to his service-connected major depressive disorder rated at 100%.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated 100% from July 15, 2020 onwards.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's HIV infection (claimed as HIV and AIDS) is rated at 100 percent since July 28, 2017, due to the presence of secondary diseases afflicting multiple body systems.,SMC for the Veteran is granted from July 28, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide private treatment records, and a VA examination will be scheduled to address her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for GERD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder was also denied, as he failed to perfect a timely appeal within one year after the August 2013 denial.