Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The appeal for TDIU has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of addressing favorable evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and a psychiatric condition are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a disorder manifested by high cholesterol has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has remanded issues regarding back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than service-connected persistent depressive disorder), bilateral eye disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension.

The appeal seeking service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is dismissed. Service connection for hemorrhoids and a skin disorder are denied. The appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder), colon polyps, and hyperthyroidism are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with depression is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence not previously considered by the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him physically or mentally unable to engage in substantially gainful employment prior to December 11, 2018. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, including a specific incident of an explosion in his barracks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 10, 2013.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 17, 2009 for the award of TDIU based on service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim was pending and new evidence received within one year prior to this decision led to a reopening of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and major depressive disorder with TBI, as well as a separate rating for TBI, are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the February 2020 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted service connection. The issues of chronic pain syndrome, tongue cancer, bone cancer, and lung cancer are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent disabling and an effective date prior to January 29, 2018, for right foot drop, sciatic nerve involvement have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, initial compensable ratings for chronic epididymitis and a postoperative scar, and denied his request for an effective date prior to September 27, 2018 for recurrent epididymitis. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disability and PTSD with alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder were granted, but both claims are now denied due to failure to meet the criteria for increased ratings.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period from November 4, 2006, to March 11, 2012.,TDIU was denied for the period from March 11, 2012, to February 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of readjudication and issuance of an SSOC. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for anxiety and depression is now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and tinnitus due to a lack of nexus opinions addressing his claimed stressors in service. The Veteran is entitled to the combat presumption.