Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected breast cancer and depressive disorder rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of July 1, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's obsessive-compulsive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. However, the Board found that his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment for the period prior to July 10, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors, and for further development of his service connection claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is denied as compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of evidence showing VA carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's service connection for unspecified anxiety and depressive disorder, as well as coronary artery disease, is granted with effective dates of May 6, 2015, and February 2, 2017 respectively. However, a compensable rating for scars associated with coronary artery disease remains denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including depression, knee degenerative joint disease, jaw fracture residuals, sleep apnea, migraines, eczema, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, bilateral ear disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, left ankle disability, and hypertension. The Veteran is asked to provide additional VA clinical documentation for review.

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and/or major depressive disorder is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate he had issues with anxiety, depression, and back pain during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to a lack of corroborated stressor event in service. The VA must obtain relevant SSA records and schedule a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed mental health disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI and other specified depressive disorder prior to June 8, 2020 were denied. The claim for an increased rating for TBI with other specified trauma and stressor related disorder since June 8, 2020 was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined with other claims. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to failure to address the Veteran's reported symptoms and obtain private treatment records from Kaiser Permanente.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of a low back condition as it was granted in November 2022. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety, and alcohol dependency, to include as due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or eczema. The case is being returned for further development and adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically unspecified depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and persistent depressive disorder. The decision also grants secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction on a causation basis.,While the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service assault, his persistent depressive disorder was not found to be directly related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression and dysthymic disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion addressing all diagnosed psychiatric conditions.