Depression decisions — 2023

The Board dismissed the appeal as there was no longer a question of fact or law regarding service connection for PTSD because it had already been granted in a previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since April 11, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and major depressive disorder (previously characterized as agoraphobia) was granted, with a disability rating of 70 percent. The claim for a higher disability rating was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder with an opioid use disorder in partial remission, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted service connection, while his depression and insomnia are denied. Service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor could not be verified and his symptoms did not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to insufficient evidence regarding a head injury during service. The case is returned for further development and an addendum opinion from the July 2022 VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 21, 2013, for a 100 percent disability evaluation for service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia and depression is remanded due to the need for additional private medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including cyclothymic disorder, mild neurocognitive disorder, and depression, due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of lay evidence regarding continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, left wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and headache condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA examiner is requested to address the Veteran's lay testimony of having experienced symptoms in service and since service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from September 27, 2018. The Veteran also received a grant for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for a comprehensive examination. The Veteran's claustrophobia, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and seizure disorder are all under review.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his Major Depressive Disorder was granted, with a 70 percent rating effective from the date of receipt of his claim on August 31, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the RO has not obtained a functional impairments assessment of his service-connected disabilities, both individually and in concert.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange. The claims are related and will be considered together.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to March 28, 2014 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and there is no evidence of unemployability due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and employee health nursing notes.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's assaults during service and his neurobehavioral effects, as well as the cumulative effect of multiple assaults. The Veteran's representative also contends that the Veteran's numerous anger issues are acute symptoms of a mental disorder.

Your service connection claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left hip bursitis, and persistent depressive disorder have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as all claims are now resolved.