Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify a claimed in-service stressor event and for a VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The matter of the acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any identified psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his psychiatric disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of records, including VA and private treatment records. A new VA examination is also required.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric disabilities, bilateral restless leg syndrome (RLS), transient ischemic attack of the left eye, and right ear tumor. The issues are being remanded due to the need for medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD. The case requires further clarification and evaluation by a VA psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for cognitive, behavioral, and emotional residuals of TBI is denied as these symptoms are already encompassed in the current 100% disability rating assigned for his major neurocognitive disorder with major depressive disorder (previously diagnosed as anxiety disorder) due to TBI.,The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches have been granted a separate initial 10 percent disability rating, effective March 7, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 50 percent for migraine headaches has been dismissed.,Her claims for service connection of psychiatric disorder, ovarian cysts, and abdominal and pelvic pain have been reopened due to new evidence received since the final decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depression, mild cognitive impairment, alcoholism, bipolar disorder, and trichotillomania is being remanded due to improper form use in initiating the appeal.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for anxiety and/or depression has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence to support a link between his current psychiatric disorders and in-service stressors.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and MDD, finding the Appellant's account of his alleged stressors and onset of mental health symptoms during service to be not credible. There is no persuasive evidence that PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder began in or was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The right ear hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and skin disability render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, as of April 20, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder, depressive disorder with anxious distress, sleep apnea and headaches have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are granted as they are related to his service in Bosnia.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not considering a military personnel record that noted the Veteran could not work because he had been drinking, which may be related to his current psychiatric condition. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various acquired psychiatric disorders are now pending and will require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection and a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with TBI is remanded. The need for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is also remanded.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for neurogenic bladder is dismissed. The appeals for major depressive disorder, migraine headaches, spinal stenosis with IVDS and DDD, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy are all REMANDED.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and depressive disorder. The decision finds that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential service connection based on in-service exposure. The RO must obtain a VA examination and opinion addressing these issues, considering the Veteran's reported in-service exposures.