Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's request to restore a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids with hematochezia effective August 2, 2018 is granted. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for major depressive disorder and right knee strain are dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back disability, cervical dysplasia, post-traumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder, and plantar fasciitis of the bilateral feet. The Veteran's new evidence is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed headaches, dizziness, and nausea disabilities. The issues on appeal are service connection for these conditions as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding an effective date prior to October 23, 2008 for a separate compensable rating for service-connected persistent depressive disorder and a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for a broken right zygomatic arch, missing tooth for VA compensation, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, GAD, panic disorder, and/or PTSD), sleep disorder, facial scars, and back disability due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened. The appeal of the rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee instability is dismissed. The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression or TBI, are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression due to an in-service sexual assault. After considering all evidence, including a recent private opinion linking these conditions to her service, the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, including mood disorder, major depression, and PTSD due to potential asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining if a Social Security disability claim was filed.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with MDD is being remanded due to a procedural error.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to September 15, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not establish total occupational and social impairment due to his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's claims for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and thoracic outlet syndrome with cervicalgia have all been granted. The diagnoses are linked to in-service military sexual trauma and injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include depression. The issue of service connection for OSA, claimed as secondary to a service-connected deviated septum, is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, and a higher disability rating for left knee meniscectomy due to additional relevant evidence being associated with the claims file.

The VA withheld compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $17,513.28 due to a statutory requirement and the decision is denied as it was proper.

The Veteran's appeals for various secondary service connection claims have been dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for spinal stenosis and depression due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case is now back with the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and substance abuse due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his claimed stressors were not corroborated and that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his active duty service.