Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and MDD, as well as headaches. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to incomplete employment history.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches have been granted increased ratings, with the depressive disorder receiving a 50 percent rating and the migraines receiving a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 11, 2017 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, and traumatic brain injury is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, due to military sexual trauma (MST), is remanded as the VA examination report was vague and without proper medical support or explanation. The examiner failed to identify or address any possible markers during the Veteran's service that would corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Dysthymia has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a personal assault in-service which led to his current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and low back condition are granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hypertension, testicle condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) due to exposure to environmental hazards during service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 25, 2011 for the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The decision is based on the fact that the Veteran met the percentage requirement for a schedular TDIU at this time.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on and after August 1, 2022, due to his service-connected disabilities including left knee total replacement, major depressive disorder, right and left hip strains, tinnitus, and other related conditions. The decision is based on the combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for left and right lower extremity sciatica, as well as a depressive disorder, have been denied.,His current 60 percent rating for IVDS already contemplates his bilateral sciatica.

The Board has dismissed the TDIU claim from September 1, 2017 as moot due to the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD. The issue of TDIU prior to September 1, 2017 is remanded and requires additional information from the Veteran.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 26, 2015 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities causing occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives, and a new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected major depression with alcohol abuse in remission should be remanded due to an error in the initial appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations and provide additional information. The Veteran is homeless, which may constitute good cause for missing the examinations.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the remand directives and has therefore remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression) has been reopened, and the claim is now granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinus bradycardia was denied as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran was provided a VA examination in January 2023 but it was found inadequate. A new medical examination and opinion are required to address the diagnoses of record and any potential secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of hand scars due to inadequate opinions on psychiatric conditions and incomplete scar examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence. The back disability, left hip disability, and depression claim are all being reviewed again.