Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, has not resulted in occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's time in service and his current depression.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety were granted a 100% rating as of August 15, 2018.,An effective date prior to August 15, 2018 for the increased rating of unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left thigh impairment, right thigh impairment, and right hamstring strain (muscle group XIV) are denied as the effective date of November 2, 2017 is considered proper.,Service connection for major depressive disorder is denied due to pyramiding.

The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis, onychomycosis of the toes, gout, mental health disability (Major Depressive Disorder), hypertension, right thumb arthritis, left knee arthritis, and Morton's neuroma of the right foot have all been granted service connection.,Additionally, the issue of entitlement to service connection for splenomegaly, anemia, and a right foot disability other than Morton's neuroma has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left foot bone sprain, residuals of a left foot ganglion cyst removal, depressive disorder other than PTSD, low back disorder, sinusitis, radiating right lower extremity pain, sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea), and migraine headaches have all been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and a depressive disorder, is related to his service. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Board denied service connection for posttraumatic stress neurosis, finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD and that there was no combat exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 1, 2006 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. He is also granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 18, 2020. The RO has granted a maximum rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder and right shoulder strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 26, 2016. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual employability from this date.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, CAD, GERD, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development under the PACT Act.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that she is currently employed and unable to secure or maintain full-time, competitive employment as a result of her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service dates and a need for clarification regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The claims for service connection are also pending, as no SOC has been issued.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depression did not render him unemployable prior to September 1, 2010. The evidence shows he was employed until at least August 2010 and became too disabled to work in October 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to military service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for further development, including obtaining personnel and service medical records, and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for migraines and insomnia. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination and nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial increased disability ratings due to worsening symptoms and lack of recent VA examinations. The effective dates for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 have been granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 19, 2019. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea.