Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of deck logs and Special Operations Unit information, which is necessary for determining service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to verify in-service stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, MDD, and social anxiety disorder, are being evaluated for their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, based on the Veteran's consistent reports of stressors during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's MDD symptoms prior to July 8, 2022 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities (MDD and asthma) prior to July 8, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining gainful employment prior to November 22, 2019.

The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy claim has been granted with increased ratings. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a stressor event involving the Veteran and another service member. The claim for service connection is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU claim. The AOJ must obtain updated VA medical records, provide a new VA examination, and ensure all issues are addressed appropriately.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and alcohol use disorder is related to his active-duty service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's major depression with anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 24, 2023. The rating for TBI remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a tick bite, other than headaches is granted. The claim for TDIU prior to February 10, 2016 is denied. The claims for service connection for IBS and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, tinea versicolor, and an acquired psychiatric disability (depression) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding all acquired psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service or service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 23, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD with Persistent Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder due to military sexual trauma, and for a lower back injury incurred during boot camp. The claims are based on direct evidence of the conditions' occurrence in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and folliculitis dermatitis are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional medical opinions are needed.