Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has granted a TDIU effective December 31, 2012. However, the issues of service connection for hypertension and lumbar spine disorder, as well as evaluations for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right knee instability, and left knee instability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for depressive disorder and social anxiety disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in or relation to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to service-connected low back disability. The claims are being remanded so that a VA examination can be conducted to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his active-duty service or any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD on and after May 31, 2019, and in excess of 50 percent prior to May 31, 2019, were dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify his reported stressors. The current evidence does not meet the second element of service connection as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his PTSD rating and TDIU claims. A VA medical opinion is needed to address the nature and severity of his PTSD since July 13, 2018, and necessary development should be conducted for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's vertigo and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were denied as not related to service.,Major depressive disorder was denied due to lack of VA examination attendance, and prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction was denied for exceeding the current rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis and knee conditions, have caused her to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 19, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations. The claims are related as they involve similar exposure and symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings and an effective date prior to January 17, 2014, for the award of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate reasons or bases provided by the Board regarding the qualifications of VA examiners.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted, effective January 14, 2015. The Board also grants an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis, back condition, RLS, right leg condition, and left leg condition are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or within a presumptive period.,Service connection for myocardial infarction (heart condition) and artery conditions is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his PTSD rating is denied as the evidence does not support a prior effective date of March 26, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU is also denied as there is no evidence to support an earlier effective date for his PTSD until its evaluation was increased to 70 percent in August 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder is remanded due to the need to provide the Veteran and his representative with information about the competence of the examiner who conducted the June 2016 VA examination concerning PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for depression is granted, with the effective date being April 12, 2017. The current disability rating for depression has been increased to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining all relevant medical records and scheduling new examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for several issues, including initial compensable rating for atopic dermatitis and service connection for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder and moderate alcohol use disorder, sleep disturbances, chronic headaches, keratitis/corneal ulcer, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, enlarged cervical right side submandibular lymph node, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and muscle and joint pain (unspecified).