Depression decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, alcohol abuse disorder, unspecified personality disorder, and major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to withdrawal by the appellant. The appeals for service connection for a psychiatric disability and a right thumb disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected conditions have been denied as a matter of law due to failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in July 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been rated at a 70 percent disability level since July 2018. The Board also granted TDIU from August 5, 2011.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period. This rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent since March 4, 2008 and granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, and has remanded his claims for lower back disabilities and left thigh numbness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left great toe disorder has been granted.,The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since November 22, 2022. The rating was granted as the disability meets the criteria for a higher initial rating under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to May 9, 2022. The Board denied an increased rating and also denied referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's current symptoms. The issues include increased ratings for an acquired psychiatric condition (including depressive disorder with mixed features and alcohol use disorder) and antral gastritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, claimed as PTSD with anxiety, is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The case is remanded to attempt verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors, obtain a new VA examination, and determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder and its relationship to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the RO to issue an SOC addressing his claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings and the propriety of a rating reduction. The appeals remain in the Legacy appeals system.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder. The decision is based on credible supporting evidence of in-service personal assaults that led to PTSD.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder with anxious distress has been rated at 50 percent for the appeal period prior to January 1, 2021. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The claim for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of April 21, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for persistent depressive disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder and traumatic brain injury was dismissed.,A 50 percent rating for migraine including migraine variants since December 21, 2016, is granted.