Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depression.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depressive and alcohol use disorders was denied. However, the Veteran's service connection claim for a secondary alcohol use disorder to his PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various psychiatric disorders, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, TBI residuals, and migraine headaches. The claims are also remanded to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, has been granted. The appeal regarding the left foot condition is being remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features and generalized anxiety disorder, as secondary to his service-connected prostate disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by an in-service injury, event, or illness. However, due to internal inconsistency of the VA examiner's opinion, a new examination is required.

The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include MDD and PTSD is granted. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and scar, right hip s/p replacement surgery ratings are restored to their previous levels.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD has been granted a TDIU effective August 3, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder was granted, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder. The cases are now remanded for further development as specified.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and sleep apnea are being reviewed again.

A 100% rating for Major Depressive Disorder with Insomnia Disorder is granted from April 11, 2023.,The Veteran's additional dependency benefits for his adopted daughter O. and mother are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric impairment has been reopened, but the appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence to make a decision on the merits.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further review due to new evidence added since the Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder on and after April 30, 2019 is being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including trauma/stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder, are granted as service-connected. From October 15, 2014, the Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for his meniscal tear and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The Veteran is also granted a 20 percent rating from October 15, 2014 to February 13, 2023, for limitation of extension of the right knee. A rating greater than 20 percent for limitation of extension of the right knee is denied starting February 14, 2023. The Veteran's limitation of flexion of the right hip is granted a 10 percent rating from October 15, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records.