Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD, cannabis use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion, and a new VA medical opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his hip disabilities, back cyst removal residuals, and psychiatric conditions due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his psychiatric conditions is granted, with the effective date set at April 26, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The Veteran also does not have any service-connected disabilities that would qualify him for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, MDD, ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent constipation, and recurrent hemorrhoids, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's son is denied recognition as a claimant for VA death benefits due to lack of evidence showing he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18 or that he paid the last sickness and burial expenses.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since March 7, 2018. The Board found the evidence at least approximately balanced and thus grants TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric, ear, and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his increased rating for a psychiatric disorder and the effective date of service connection has been dismissed due to the Veteran expressing satisfaction with the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder (MDD) is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are presumed to have existed prior to his military service but were aggravated by it.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and that his current diagnosed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to assess the current severity and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric condition (depression), and migraine headaches. The claims are being returned due to delays in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depression with psychotic features and opiate and stimulant use disorder, finding that these conditions are directly related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder. The examiner must consider the Veteran's history of anxiety and depression during service and his statements about in-service events.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as well as a TDIU due to service-connected disability, are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional medical records.