Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted. However, the initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected anemia remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the proposed reduction of disability ratings for PTSD, speech changes, and stooped posture was dismissed.,Entitlement to higher disability ratings for parkinsonism with left upper extremity tremor and bradykinesia, speech changes on the right side, and stooped posture on both sides is remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of any claimed foot, hip, knee, or lower back conditions. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, is related to his service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate his claims for HIV, erectile dysfunction, major depression and anxiety with short-term memory loss and somatic symptom disorder, and pharyngitis/throat blockage. The issues have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and a 100 percent rating are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for mefloquine poisoning is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the medical evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and establishes a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding no in-service stressor events or nexus to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted service connection. The left shoulder disability and psychiatric disorder are denied service connection.

The Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder with moderate anxious distress is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to reflect his current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids has been denied as no new and relevant evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability has been denied as no new and relevant evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) has been granted based on the submission of new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleeping disorder (diagnosed as sleep apnea) has been granted based on the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted. The Board has also remanded the cases of PTSD, low back disability, and TDIU due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The examiner will also need to consider an in-service mental health clinic visit.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is granted, but his claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as a claim for secondary service connection to his bilateral hearing loss disability. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses of any psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions and missing medical records. The Veteran's back condition and psychiatric disorder are still under review.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, right leg length discrepancy, right knee disability (claimed as right knee), back disability (claimed as low back), and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's application for TDIU prior to December 6, 2022 is remanded due to uncertainty regarding his employment status since July 2014. The AOJ must obtain updated information from the Veteran and any relevant SSA records.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. Other claims for various conditions are remanded.