Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed all the issues related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD with MDD was restored to 100% effective January 1, 2019, as the evidence showed actual improvement in her condition.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The PTSD rating remains at 70 percent, but an earlier effective date of February 8, 2021 for TDIU and DEA benefits is granted.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depression was granted service connection on a presumptive basis as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression and posttraumatic stress disorder is granted, with an evaluation of 50 percent effective December 5, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depression are now rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, as the VA has not considered whether his unemployability is due to service-connected disabilities. The Board will refer these issues for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's MDD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, and his bilateral hearing loss disability rating was restored to 30%. The Veteran's bilateral flatfeet disability is rated at 30%.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted, while the claims for bilateral hearing loss and anxiety/depression were remanded.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria. Anxiety/depression is remanded to determine its relationship to service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and unspecified trauma related disorder, is found to be at least as likely as not related to service.,Her migraine headaches are found to clearly and unmistakably preexist service and were aggravated by an in-service assault.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. H.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests to proceed with these issues.,Service connection has been granted for right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right hip disorder, and left knee disorder. The Veteran's obesity is considered an intermediate step between his service-connected back disability and these disorders.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record since the last decision and requires further consideration. The Veteran is being asked to waive initial AOJ review of this new evidence.

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder effective July 30, 2018 and TDIU effective November 1, 2019. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted effective November 1, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and depression, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting a stressor related to in-service helicopter training.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2018 for a 100 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder and major depression with PTSD and trichotillomania was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for costochondritis with restrictive lung disease and asthma is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service stressor of witnessing a fellow servicemember die by electrocution.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to March 2, 2018.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's COPD is related to his active-duty service.