Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and left arm fracture residuals is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with paranoid delusional disorder and depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the January 2019 decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is found to be related to his active service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity in Bosnia during service is sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include COPD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, major depressive disorder, kidney condition, and liver condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70% disability rating from May 18, 2014 to August 18, 2023. The cervical spine degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity radiculopathy are both denied for the entire initial rating period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded because of the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for anxiety, depression, and sleep issues have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for photophobia and urinary incontinence is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for persistent depressive disorder and PTSD was granted with a 100% rating effective June 18, 2019. The effective date is based on the date of receipt of his Intent to File.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected disabilities, and thus remands for a VA examination to provide an opinion on whether his depression is caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder due to a failure to obtain verification of in-service stressors and to provide a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, including failing to obtain VA examinations and verify exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis may be related to his service, particularly if he was exposed to Agent Orange. His acquired psychiatric disorder is also related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of symptoms warranting such a rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA is not service connected on a secondary basis due to his service-connected depression. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and clarification of whether the OSA was aggravated by his depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and its relationship to service, particularly his in-service lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as they were received within one year of his separation from active service, and the effective dates cannot be earlier than August 1, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder associated with conjunctivitis is rated at 70 percent, which grants a higher rating than the current 50 percent. Other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, tension headaches, GERD, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are either denied or have compensable ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA criteria.,The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity are remanded due to incomplete service records and potential inconsistencies in the Veteran's DD Form 214 and Service Personnel Records.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as mood swings and/or depression) is remanded due to incomplete service records and potential inconsistencies in the Veteran's DD Form 214 and Service Personnel Records.,The claims for lower back disability and skin disability are remanded due to incomplete service records and potential inconsistencies in the Veteran's DD Form 214 and Service Personnel Records.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia. The Veteran maintains her symptoms began during active duty, and a private examiner opined it was at least as likely as not related to her service.