Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the Board finding that her back disability and psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, was denied. The Board found that the current diagnosis is not related to his military service and did not meet the criteria for a grant of TDIU due to the presence of other disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than depressive disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as diabetes mellitus (DM), were denied. The Board has remanded both claims due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder. The VA examiner needs to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 1, 2016. The TDIU claim for the period from January 29, 2014 to September 1, 2016 was dismissed as moot due to his receipt of a 100% rating. The TDIU claim for the period from September 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017 is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder including reactive depression and depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for unspecified depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is also granted.,A TDIU from March 30, 2015, the effective date of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claim will be reviewed again with new medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches, as they are related to his period of active duty service. The claims will be further developed with additional medical opinions provided.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence received after a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran's CAD and MDD ratings are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability. The issues are also inextricably intertwined with a claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to October 19, 2017. The Board found that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were not met due to the presence of other disabilities and the Veteran's ability to perform his former occupation as a truck driver.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities on an extra-schedular basis prior to July 7, 2020 is being remanded as the RO did not satisfy its duty to assist and there are outstanding development actions needed. The Board will consider whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined low back and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a TDIU from November 1, 2009 and entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1) from November 1, 2009 due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand, and the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, began during his period of active duty. As such, service connection is granted.