Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD, is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent effective January 20, 2021. The appeal is remanded for further development on issues of service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating and TDIU prior to February 20, 2019 have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims following notification of a new rating decision granting him a 100% disability rating.

For the entire appeal period, a rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD and PTSD is denied.,For the entire appeal period, a rating in excess of 30 percent for tension headache syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for kidney stones was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, based on credible lay evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries or diseases.,There was no indication of herbicide exposure, and the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II did not manifest within one year from separation.

The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms prior to February 20, 2018, resulted in total occupational and social impairment due to grossly inappropriate behavior. The Board granted a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for depressive disorder is granted, and the issues of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, left shoulder, headaches, and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded. The compensable rating for hypertension issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder prior to November 22, 2019, is rated at 50 percent. Beginning on November 22, 2019, the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder), and loss of erectile power.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities and her service. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether any of the currently diagnosed disorders are at least as likely as not related to service, including in-service complaints and treatment for depressive symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no persuasive evidence that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it had onset in, or is otherwise related to, active military service and whether it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected disabilities, including chronic pain from his service-connected knee and psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and instability are remanded for appropriate examinations to determine their current severity with consideration of functional impairment on employability.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and instability are remanded for appropriate examinations to determine their current severity with consideration of functional impairment on employability.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is remanded for an appropriate examination to determine its current severity.,Earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and ratings for the Veteran's left knee disability and depressive disorder are remanded as they may be related to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's earlier effective date claims are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for MDD, TDIU before November 9, 2021, and SMC A&A due to the need for aid and attendance of another. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The matter is now pending for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for arthritis of the legs and retina myopathy have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure, but has remanded issues related to acquired psychiatric disability, dysarthria, dementia, aneurysms, COPD, and enlarged prostate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for IBS, acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to new evidence received since the last rating decision. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety as secondary to various in-service conditions, finding no medical evidence supporting a link between these disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for mental health, including anxiety and depression.