Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, tinnitus, headache disorder, and a heart murmur. The Board has ordered the retrieval of SSA records to clarify eligibility for benefits. The appeals are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disorder, and other disabilities. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has dismissed the service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis (left elbow condition) as it was granted in an October 2023 rating decision. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors from his time in Jordan, the Philippines, and Guam. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of December 30, 2004 for his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran had multiple service-connected conditions including depression, headaches, fibromyalgia, and neck pain that prevented him from securing or maintaining employment.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 18, 2016, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, allergic rhinitis, asthma, right hand disability manifested by numbness, and left hand disability manifested by numbness are all granted as service-connected.,An effective date of April 2, 2018, is assigned for the award of service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's mental health conditions clearly and unmistakably preexisted service. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, PTSD, pulmonary lung nodule, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), lumbosacral strain and arthritis, sciatica, depressive disorder with anxious distress, and bruxism have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from March 30, 2011 to September 25, 2018. A TDIU due solely to service-connected PTSD is granted from March 30, 2011. The Veteran is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) from March 30, 2011. SMC benefits are granted from September 26, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, mood disorder, and anxiety. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression, finding no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD with depressive disorder from May 29, 2018 forward is denied. The earlier effective date prior to May 29, 2018 for the grant of a 50 percent disability rating is also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including determining the length of the Veteran's incarceration for a felony and obtaining relevant treatment records from correctional facilities. The effective date for service connection remains August 31, 2005.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted a TDIU and an increased rating of 100 percent from June 20, 2017 onwards. Prior to that date, the claim for higher ratings was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is granted. However, the claim for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of anemia, degenerative disc disease, hypertension, and heart murmur have been withdrawn. The appeal as to these issues is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea, sinus disability (variously diagnosed as sinusitis and rhinitis), nasoseptal deformity, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which include bilateral nephrolithiasis with chronic kidney disease and hypertension, depressive disorder, left clavicle fracture, and tinnitus. The combined rating of 70% meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue regarding service connection for Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The other issues have been remanded.