Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 50% prior to June 12, 2017, and 70% thereafter. The claim for service connection for hypertension based on the PACT Act of 2022 is granted.

The appeal of TDIU prior to September 6, 2019 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of benefits at the start of the appeal period. The SAH and SHA claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, type 2, squamous cell carcinoma of the right finger, colon cancer, and hepatitis C are all remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety should be rated at a level higher than 50 percent prior to April 4, 2017. However, due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA), the case is being sent back for further review.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to September 2, 2020, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA disability determinations, and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether any current acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service or was aggravated by service. The Veteran's history of depressive symptoms since age 10, exacerbated by his military service in Thailand, must be considered.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is found to be due to service. The appeal for higher ratings related to diabetes mellitus type II and its complications are remanded.

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for gout is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received, the claims for service connection for right hip disability and left hip disability are reopened; to this extent only, the appeals are granted.,New and material evidence having been received, the claim for service connection for interstitial cystitis is reopened; to this extent only, the appeal is granted.,The appeals seeking entitlement to service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and combined it with her PTSD for rating purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence related to the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper examination and updated medical records. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her right ring finger fracture is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD. The AOJ must obtain a VA examination and medical opinion addressing the diagnoses in the outpatient records, including major depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or secondary to his service-connected umbilical hernia scar.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine condition or depression are related to his service-connected DDD, lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's initial rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's head injury residuals, including chronic headaches, were found to warrant a 50% rating as of April 18, 2009. Prior to this date, the Veteran was granted a TDIU effective September 1, 2012.,Effective April 18, 2009, and prior to April 24, 2015, the Veteran's head injury residuals were found to be very frequent and completely prostrating, producing severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence that was added after the September 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The Veteran's representative did not address this new evidence in their argument, and a new SSOC must be prepared before the Board can make a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as a claim for TDIU due to CFS. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new evidence and possibly another examination.