Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his left hand condition and PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran's bilateral flat foot, right knee, and left knee conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of noise exposure or injury during periods of active duty. The appellant's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability, as there is no credible evidence showing that the disorder had its onset during a period of active duty. The appellant did not have any treatment for such conditions in service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder, is granted. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are due to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as there were no communications received between the January 2004 denial and September 13, 2017, petition to reopen her previously denied claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is found to be related to his military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including social anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective July 13, 2017. The Board found that the condition warranted a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service, and the Veteran's statements about continuity of symptoms were not credible. Service connection for ischemic heart disease was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection for a depression disability due to additional evidence not yet considered by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that it originated during active service and is related to the Veteran's military experience.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD and for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 5, 2020 are being remanded due to the need for additional hearings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered with a new opinion from a qualified clinician.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for osteoporosis, high cholesterol, hypertension, and GERD were denied. The claim for depression was granted, but the claim for sleep apnea was not reopened as it did not relate to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 6, 2013 for increased ratings for various disabilities was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Korea. The VA is required to verify this exposure and provide a new psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are related to his service.

The Board found the reduction of the disability evaluation from 20 to 10 percent for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease improper. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70% rating, but the issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service. The rating assigned and effective date have not been determined.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his experiences in active service.