Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was granted, and she received a 50% disability rating for her major depressive disorder.,Service connection for bilateral tinnitus was established based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to military noise exposure.

Service connection for PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is granted. Ratings of 20 percent are assigned for dislocated semilunar cartilage and right knee strain, effective January 20, 2020 and February 3, 2020 respectively.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for service-connected depressive disorder with major depressive like episode, leading to its dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD) is denied, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left wrist disability has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right wrist, acquired psychiatric disabilities (depression and anxiety), residual scars of the right upper extremity, residual painful scars of the right upper extremity, and right shoulder disabilities manifesting in glenohumeral joint dislocation and limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's service records and the need to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability benefits records and private treatment records. The effective date claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been granted a 70 percent rating from April 13, 2017. This reflects the severity of his symptoms which include occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to her military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's contact dermatitis is granted a 10 percent disability rating, but his depressive disorder remains at a 50 percent rating. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tremors and TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound criteria is denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for entitlement to SMC prior to May 23, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to October 3, 2019, is granted a 70 percent evaluation. The matter of TDIU is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and unspecified anxious disorder as there was no evidence of an in-service stressor or a current disability related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, residuals of myasthenia gravis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted. The claim for obesity is denied as a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision on the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's right elbow condition is already service-connected, and there are indications that his post-deployment depression screening points to possible in-service occurrences.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and tinnitus, effective December 24, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder has rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from February 24, 2021, onward. Additionally, she has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or greater, qualifying for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for prostate cancer was granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and a major depressive disorder, as well as for a chronic disability manifested by vertigo/dizziness, were remanded due to insufficient evidence.