Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and its relation to service, as well as his tobacco use. A VA psychiatrist is needed to provide an opinion on these matters.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye disorder and TBI secondary to depression, as these issues were inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim for depression. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression prior to July 10, 2018 is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, stress and adjustment reaction, and depression, all of which are linked to a military sexual assault during active duty training in 2002.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder, and major depressive disorder, has been denied as there is no credible supporting evidence to corroborate the claimed in-service stressor. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his in-service stressor are inconsistent with other evidence of record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are related to service or any incident of service, and whether they are due to or the result of his right third, fourth, and fifth hammer toes, calluses of the feet, and other service connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and bipolar disorder, is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The issue of secondary service connection for the psychiatric disability due to a service-connected low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which covers the period from September 3, 2015. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he still functions satisfactorily with routine behavior and self-care.

Your service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and other-specified depressive disorder with anxious features, has been granted. The appeal is dismissed as the issue is no longer on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions including arthritis, heart condition, eye condition, insomnia, hypertension, kidney condition, hearing loss, lower back condition, cervical degenerative disc disease (claimed as neck arthritis and arthritis all systems), and depression due to new evidence being added since the last decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral foot disability, and neurological disorder (claimed as a headache).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, OCD, right ankle pain, left ankle pain, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis were denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression are currently rated as 0%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and erectile dysfunction. The VA will attempt to verify the reported in-service stressor incidents, including terrorist attacks in Frankfurt and Heidelberg, Germany.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from July 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and alcohol use disorder is granted. Service connection is also granted for high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes mellitus type II. However, the claims for secondary service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for inability to lose weight and obesity is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's scars are rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's claims for dizziness, major depression, nausea, obstructive sleep apnea, and vomiting are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, PFB, and left foot disability were all granted service connection as they are related to events that occurred during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions alone.