Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and outstanding service records, including mental health treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on verified stressors or combat participation. An examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and a finding of TDIU due to service-connected disability. Additional evidence is needed, including VA outpatient treatment records from the University of Kansas Medical Center and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The claim will be reconsidered with additional evidence provided.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The appeal is granted for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, are related to in-service personal assault. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The claim for TMJ service connection is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being readjudicated due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issue remains pending as it has not been determined whether the inservice concussion was due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being readjudicated due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issue remains pending as it has not been determined whether the inservice concussion was due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA examiner will need to reconcile the December 2019 finding that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder with other evidence showing depression and a positive PTSD screening.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis conforming to VA regulations.,Service connection for Persistent Depressive Disorder was granted based on the competent and probative evidence showing it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder must be readjudicated based on the RO's failure to initially adjudicate the issue. The AOJ is asked to adjudicate the merits of the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent evaluation for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability, and acne with keloid scarring, upper back and shoulders have been granted. The claim for increased rating for acne has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar disability, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious features, and various radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, as well as cervical spine disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination for PTSD and a need to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and Depression are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that his current depression did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hydromyelia of the cervical spine, increased evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome (right and left knees), and an increased evaluation for depressive disorder NOS. The Veteran's symptoms have been found to more closely approximate a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to failure to schedule VA examinations, and requests additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for her acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.