Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the appeal of your claim for higher disability ratings for PTSD because it was previously adjudicated and resolved by a previous decision.

The Board has determined that the appeal is not ready for final decision and has been remanded to allow for additional evidence to be reviewed by the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with a depressive disorder, residuals of bladder cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable since October 21, 2019. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

An effective date of December 9, 1980, for service connection of a back disability is granted.,An effective date prior to October 10, 2012, for service connection of depression is denied.,Prior to September 18, 2014, an initial rating of 50 percent for depression is granted. Since September 18, 2014, a higher rating is denied.,Since June 10, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU benefits are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an adjustment disorder is denied because the evidence does not show a separate diagnosis of adjustment disorder and his symptoms are already considered in the rating assigned for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective February 25, 2020. His hypertension is rated as noncompensable. The Board granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, finding that there was no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are rated at a 30 percent disability rating from May 19, 2014, to November 20, 2018. The decision does not specify an effective date for the granted rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's heart disability (claimed as coronary artery disease) and hypertension are now presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure under the PACT Act.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety, and Major Depression as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded.,An effective date prior to September 27, 2021, for the assignment of a 50 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, sleep apnea, arthritis in the right hand, hearing loss, tinnitus, deformity of toenails, eczema, and painful scars on feet and legs are remanded due to missing military records. The Veteran may be entitled to presumptive service connection based on Persian Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board noted that without myxedema, a compensable rating requires six months of residual effects after initial diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 17, 2020 for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with insomnia disorder, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder is granted. The increase in the Veteran's disability occurred within one year prior to his April 21, 2020 claim, making January 17, 2020 the earliest possible effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and major depression is now pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depression, mood disorder, and bipolar disorder are granted as service-connected. The VA found that the condition began during her time in service and was related to her treatment while active duty.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is found to have started in service and has continued since then, granting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI and depressive disorder do not meet the criteria for SMC (t) as he does not require higher level care on a daily basis, thus his claim is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder have been rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from August 19, 2022. The Board has also granted TDIU for this period. However, the claim for TDIU prior to August 19, 2022 is remanded.