Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date and rating increase for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities due to outstanding treatment records, examination, and development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for class III malocclusion, depressive disorder, and TMJ disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The claim for class III malocclusion is reopened, but service connection remains denied. Service connection for depressive disorder is granted as secondary to tinnitus. Service connection for TMJ disorder is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder due to inadequate examination findings. The case will be returned for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, left ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The left ankle disability is also granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions.,Service connection has been granted for hypertension, with the onset likely during active duty. The Veteran's psychiatric condition remains under consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions such as adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition due to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date determinations are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board denies her claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal for service connection for cognitive decrease secondary to hypothyroidism has been granted as new and relevant evidence has been presented.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for aortic aneurysm and sleep apnea, finding that evidence does not support finding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, finding that his symptoms began during active service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the appeal was erroneously docketed under the Modernized Appeals System (AMA) and is dismissed. The issues will be addressed in a decision under the legacy system at a later date.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for neck, back, hip, knee, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records. The Veteran's STRs do not reflect injuries sustained in November 1996 during a rappelling exercise.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that his depression and anxiety are secondary to his service-connected right orchitis and epididymitis residuals.

The Veteran's appeals regarding earlier effective dates and increased ratings for PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus and major depressive disorder due to military sexual trauma are granted as service-connected. The decision for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the proposed reduction in his major depression rating from 100% to 70% has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for reducing his PTSD, major depressive disorder, and traumatic brain injury rating from 100% to 50% has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal before the decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for depression and TDIU prior to October 29, 2012 are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.