Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder is denied. The earliest possible effective date is December 29, 2022.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and related conditions, have resulted in a TDIU effective February 16, 2023.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, but denied service connection for anxiety and mood swings as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression and anxiety due to insufficient evidence. The right elbow disorder claim remains denied.

The Veteran's current PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service, and the Board granted service connection for PTSD based on this evidence.

The Board has restored service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the original decision to grant it was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for major depressive disorder prior to August 5, 2021, and a remanded issue regarding entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is denied as he does not have this condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depression disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia) is denied. The Veteran submitted opinions from private doctors stating that he has these conditions, but the Board finds their opinions outweighed by other medical evidence of record and insufficient to establish a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and his STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed hearing loss is less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right lower extremity nerve disorder, and left lower extremity nerve disorder are denied as the Veteran's STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (atrial fibrillation, bradycardia) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his atrial fibrillation is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity edema (right and left) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service and the VA examiner found that his bradycardia is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. There is no in-service noise exposure documented and the Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal regarding service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and adjustment disorder was reopened, and she is now granted service connection for depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder. The issues of service connection for hysterectomy, sleep apnea, headaches, eye sensitivity to light, low libido, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound criteria is denied as he did not meet the required schedular criteria or confinement conditions prior to June 5, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a failure to comply with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, is being reviewed for potential service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depressive disorder, TBI, and related disabilities, were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence for a left eardrum disability. The other issues are being remanded as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues of ataxia, major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder (in sustained remission), bilateral neuropathy of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea will be addressed.