Depression decisions — 2023

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's headaches, neck disorder, back disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and depression are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder) are caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disorder, which is the primary cause of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for abdominal hernia, sleep apnea as secondary to bronchial asthma, and a psychiatric disorder (depression) have been withdrawn. The claim of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 10 percent from January 10, 2012, to February 3, 2016, for right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease has also been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant have been remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) has been granted at a 70 percent evaluation, effective from January 29, 2013. Additionally, the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU beginning May 1, 2020.

The Veteran's left forearm and hand burn scars are rated at 30 percent, but the painful scars on his left forearm, left hand, and right thigh are rated at 30 percent effective December 4, 2019.,The Veteran's depressive disorder to include anxiety is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol dependence. The evidence did not support a finding that any current acquired psychiatric disorder was related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of September 15, 2017. The Board found it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's disabilities worsened in the year prior to his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a right shoulder disorder due to incomplete development following previous remands.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder. The issues of low back disability, cervical spine disability, right leg nerve disability (including secondary to low back disability), residuals of right mallet finger fracture, and fatigue are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence, including the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to establish an in-service stressor for PTSD, which is a required element for service connection. The Veteran's claims are being returned to obtain further verification of his claimed stressors and to schedule him for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder (MDD) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for MDD prior to March 19, 2014 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility is denied.

The Board has restored service connection for degenerative joint disease cervical spine, residual midline incisional scar of the posterior neck, and depressive disorder NOS as these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that the current psychiatric disorder is not related to service and was first manifested many years after separation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg and foot disabilities, varicose veins, heart disability, hypertension, hysterectomy, menopause, incontinence, bilateral eye disability, and psychiatric disability (to include depression) were all denied service connection. The case was remanded for additional development.,Service connection for sleep apnea, a heart disability, hypertension, a hysterectomy, menopause, hormonal changes, incontinence, and a bilateral eye disability is also being remanded.