Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically addressing direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are causally related to her in-service sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which in turn may have aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there is no service connection for a psychiatric disability, and the Board finds insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,An earlier effective date of May 10, 2018, for service connection for depressive disorder is granted based on the receipt of an informal claim prior to the March 24, 2015 amendments.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all listed conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder (an acquired psychiatric disability) effective July 12, 2013. The decision is based on the Veteran's significant symptoms including suicidal ideation, difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships, and near-continuous panic and depression affecting his ability to function.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's active-duty service is also under review, and his SSA disability records and Womack Military Hospital records need to be associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, PTSD, DDA/AUD, asthma, gastrointestinal disability, and OSA are all granted. The Veteran's asthma is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to burn pits and other particulate matter during his Southwest Asia service. His gastrointestinal issues are also presumed to be related to this exposure. However, the Board found no evidence of a nexus between PTSD and service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for major depressive disorder with antisocial personality disorder was granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and a disorder manifested by suicide attempts are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the determination of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD and for an earlier effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and the need for another VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder and back disability have resulted in a TDIU rating since April 1, 2016. His depression has also been rated at 50 percent effective November 8, 2018.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to August 21, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent from August 21, 2017, and thereafter, have not been met.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD, bilateral ankle sprains, and lumbar spine disabilities.,The evidence does not support an increased rating for GERD with hiatal hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including persistent depressive disorder, conduct disorder, and other specified disruptive control disorder. However, the claim for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was denied as there is no current diagnosis of CFS.

The Veteran's tinnitus is due to his service-connected hearing loss and has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The issues include anxiety, depression, a low back disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in obtaining records from Dr. L.S. and addressing relevant private medical opinions.