Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with corroboration of in-service stressors and establishment of a causal relationship between current psychiatric disorders and service. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, unspecified trauma disorder, depression, and insomnia are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety and depression, claimed as secondary to pain from service-connected disabilities, has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received in the form of statements indicating a possible causal relationship between MST and current acquired psychiatric disability. However, the claims are still remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the claim for a supplemental VA medical opinion to determine if any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or unspecified depressive disorder, is related to the Veteran's in-service stressor involving a fire on the USS Ranger.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include ingrown toenails, post-surgical bunions of the feet, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding higher staged initial ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, rated 50 percent prior to February 13, 2023, and 70 percent from that date.

The Veteran's bilateral knee DJD and obesity are granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression) is denied, and the hypertension claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health and foot disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has found that the remand directives have not been completed and another remand is necessary for further development, including obtaining opinions on service connection for psychiatric disorders, leg disabilities, and knee strains.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also remanded several other issues, including those related to his feet, thighs/hips, elbow, and skin.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, and for a TDIU rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to sexual trauma is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Board also remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if her current acquired psychiatric disability is related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms and overall disability picture.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD/MDD have been granted. However, the appeal is mixed as some issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence or further development needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the last statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ganglion cyst, right wrist; heart problems; depression due to marital problem; right knee injury; migraine headaches; and allergies/hay fever have been denied. The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma.

The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder with depression is rated at 50 percent effective April 22, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is granted as service-connected. The claims for PTSD, fibromyalgia, increased rating for residuals of fracture, right ankle, DM, and inguinal hernia are all remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD and MDD, is related to military sexual trauma and has been granted service connection.