Depression decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for major depressive disorder, finding no new and material evidence that would support reopening the case.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI residuals, depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and kidney disease. The Veteran's conditions are linked to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for the period prior to June 19, 2009. A rating in excess of 70 percent is denied from that date forward. The Veteran also receives a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and insomnia are being remanded for further evaluation, as the evidence suggests a worsening of her condition. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with the increased rating issue.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, and alcohol use disorder, have resulted in total impairment throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete development of the TDIU claim.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the cases of depression and substance abuse due to insufficient evidence in some areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's forehead and left forearm scars are granted initial 10 percent ratings.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints, MDD and GAD secondary to PTSD, and migraine headache disability secondary to PTSD is granted.,Service connection for gastroenteritis, chronic bronchitis, and cervical dysplasia is denied.

Service connection for OSA is granted as secondary to PTSD and service-connected orthopedic disabilities with obesity.,From July 19, 2016, to February 4, 2018, a 40% evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. From February 5, 2018, forward, the same evaluation remains in effect.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her PTSD and lumbosacral strain, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of her back disability. The issues of rating PTSD and service connection for lumbosacral strain are being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, is granted as service connected. Service connection for lower urinary tract syndrome secondary to prostatitis, urethral blockage secondary to prostatitis, chronic bilateral ankle strain, and sciatic nerve, right lower extremity secondary to lumbar spine are all withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD and depression), all related to the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for breast cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as other trauma and stressor-related disorder with a secondary diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder, has not met the criteria for an increased rating beyond the current 30 percent assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU since June 19, 2017 and prevent him from performing gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim of increased ratings for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion to assess the current level of disability throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder, finding that her condition is at least as likely as not related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from May 14, 2014 to October 26, 2020. The claim for increased ratings of his left hip disabilities and TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a cervical spine disability and lumbar radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, MDD, and GAD is granted based on a verified in-service stressor and the proximate relationship of his current diagnoses to these conditions.