Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this matter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety, as well as personality disorder. The evidence did not support the claim that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and his duodenal ulcer is granted as a direct service connection. The compensable rating for the duodenal ulcer surgical scar is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and severe major depressive disorder with psychotic features are rated at 50% for the period prior to May 17, 2019. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the credibility of the Veteran's reported military sexual trauma and its relation to his current psychiatric disorders. The case will be reconsidered with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, urethral stricture with enuresis and incontinence, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on his functional impairment due to these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for temporary total rating for lumbar spine fusion, service connection for depression and anxiety. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction was readjudicated and granted as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his in-service combat stressors and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remands and the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, is being reviewed to determine if it is related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to an in-service sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the appeals for additional development to obtain missing service records and Social Security Administration records, as these could provide relevant information about the Veteran's employment history and disability benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent from November 20, 2019 for PTSD is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for sinusitis based on receipt of new and material evidence is dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is granted due to the PACT Act.,Service connection for back disability is denied as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for residuals of a stroke is remanded as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for kidney disease is reopened but not granted, as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for hypertension from August 10, 2022 pursuant to the PACT Act is granted.,Service connection for osteoporosis on a secondary basis is denied.,Service connection for OSA on a secondary basis is denied.,Service connection for bruxism on a secondary basis is denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder not otherwise specified, due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence from the Veteran's wife.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous decisions. The Veteran's PTSD is being reviewed again, and a new opinion on depression is needed. For migraine headaches and left leg disabilities, another examination by a VA doctor is required.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied as there was no prior formal or informal claim. The Veteran's initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to September 23, 2020 is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration of all issues on appeal, including those related to earlier effective dates and service connection. The RO should consider all evidence associated with the claims file since the October 31, 2019 SOCs and May 27, 2020 SSOC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to failure to report to VA examinations and other procedural issues. The Board has broadened the claims to include Gulf War Syndrome-related conditions.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of bacterial meningitis was denied, while his claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder was granted with a higher rating.