Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's in-service sexual assault (MST). The decision is based on credible evidence of the stressor incident.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically whether they are superimposed on or separate from his in-service personality disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5 criteria and insufficient medical nexus opinions to establish a link between his current psychiatric condition and active service.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain a new examination and medical opinion to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate based on CUE in October 2003 rating decision, finding that the RO did not have a duty to determine whether TDIU was warranted based solely on a single service-connected disability as the first part of an SMC analysis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to June 14, 2016 are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are granted service connection, but his sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left elbow strain were denied as not related to service. The lumbosacral strain was also denied, but the claim for depression and anxiety disorders is being remanded.,Service connection for depression and anxiety disorders remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication of the claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and entitlement to TDIU, with an emphasis on receipt of a January 27, 2020 claim. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, consisting of major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, is rated at 70 percent. This decision grants an initial 70 percent evaluation for the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is related to his service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, and depression. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are linked to the Veteran's reported near miss accident involving an aircraft and witnessing another plane fail to launch without recovery during his service on the USS Oriskany.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and depression. The VA must provide a medical examination to determine if the Veteran meets the DSM criteria for PTSD and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for sleep apnea, fatigue with weakness as due to undiagnosed illness, posttraumatic stress disorder and moderate recurrent major depressive disorder, and left foot hallux valgus.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD. The Veteran's TDIU was granted, making his claim moot.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which grants an increased rating. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which reflects severe anxiety and depression resulting in occupational and social impairment. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board needs to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals in writing, thus the Board dismissed the cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran will need to undergo further examination and obtain an adequate etiological opinion.