Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to a lack of an adequate VA examination addressing his service-connected disability alone.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress due to unresolved issues regarding exposure and in-service events.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that no informal claim was raised prior to March 13, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during her active duty service. The evidence received since the February 2019 rating decision supports this determination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's dementia, OSA, PTSD, depression, and anxiety were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran was diagnosed with these conditions after service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and gastritis are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found no direct service connection but also could not rule out a link based on exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection should be granted for right wrist condition, left wrist condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's low back pain and dysfunction, neck pain and dysfunction, right hip pain and dysfunction, and left hip pain and dysfunction are all granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, other specified trauma/stressor related disorder) is also granted as service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected disability.

Major Depressive Disorder and Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorder are granted as service-connected.,PTSD is denied as not meeting the criteria for a diagnosis under DSM-5.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder. The decision will be reconsidered after obtaining a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, MDD, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been granted. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded due to exposure in Vietnam and Guam.,Service connection has been established for PTSD, MDD, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to a failure to properly notify the Veteran of his scheduled VA examination and incomplete private treatment records. The Board finds that good cause has been shown for the Veteran's absence from the scheduled examination.

The Board has found that there may be outstanding VA treatment records from the Veteran's service period and remanded for their retrieval to make a fully-informed decision on his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to provide a VA examination and perform necessary development, including toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examinations.

Service connection for major depressive disorder with accompanying alcohol use disorder is granted. Service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorders, is found to be etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral knee internal derangement, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on this finding.