Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and unclear etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety) and alcohol abuse disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and requests for additional evidence, including SSA records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for a psychiatric disability prior to July 12, 2010 and as of July 12, 2010 was denied. The Veteran also appealed the denial of TDIU prior to November 30, 2016, but that claim is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome. The remaining issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability (depression), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder also described as MDD is granted, and the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation as of May 1, 2018. Effective May 1, 2018, the Veteran is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, due to inconsistencies between his reported in-service stressors and the contemporaneous evidence of his service.

The Veteran's initial rating for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted at a 70 percent level prior to January 14, 2021. As of that date, the rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The claim will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an examination and opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of her conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorder) and GERD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his combat service. The appeal was reopened due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis of depression.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for depression, bilateral pes planus (claimed as bilateral feet), and low back disorder due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand muscle cramps is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The claim of service connection for liver disability (claimed as hemochromatosis) remains pending.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an eye injury is granted, with the issue remaining pending. A March 2022 private evaluation found a relationship between the Veteran's left eye glaucoma and in-service eye injury.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was dismissed because she withdrew her appeal in June 2022.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The evidence did not support a separate diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of examination for the Veteran's current mental health diagnoses and their etiology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service, and the character of his discharge from service for the period from August 12, 1990 to October 18, 1991 is not dishonorable for VA purposes.