Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 19, 2023 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous remand directives, including obtaining a new medical opinion that considers the complete treatment history and addresses the Veteran's combat service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from September 18, 2018 is dismissed. The claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent prior to September 18, 2018 for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted service connection, but effective dates prior to July 1, 2017 are denied.,A 50% rating for migraine headaches is granted from July 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD, as his diagnosis of PTSD is supported by credible supporting evidence and a causal nexus to in-service stressors. Service connection for Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder is remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as PTSD, MST) is remanded.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was denied, and the July 2022 rating decision granted increased ratings for his major depressive disorder and knee gout.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted a 100% disability rating from November 20, 2012 to July 11, 2021. The effective date for Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) is also set at November 20, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 100 percent since August 18, 2016. The Board granted a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and dismissed the TDIU claim due to the Veteran being in receipt of a 100 percent rating. SMC at the housebound rate was also granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as of August 10, 2022 due to the assignment of a combined disability rating of 100 percent. Prior to that date, the Veteran did not meet the schedular threshold for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and insomnia disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board has remanded both the PTSD claim for a higher rating and the hearing loss claim.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left and right lower extremity sciatica, and a psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and obstructive sleep apnea due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 1, 2020. From that date, he was awarded major depressive disorder which increased his combined rating to 100 percent based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the current issues on the appeal, including a VA examination for TBI and contemporaneous examinations for other disabilities.

The Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and memory loss due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypereosinophilic syndrome requiring oxygen and myopericarditis, a MUCMI, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) have been granted.,New evidence has been submitted that supports the reopening of these previously denied claims.