Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, major depressive disorder, and opioid use disorder, was granted a 70 percent rating prior to June 30, 2020. The appeal for a higher initial rating is denied. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities from December 14, 2018, is granted.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, finding that no communication prior to June 7, 2010 could be construed as a formal or informal claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as secondary service connection for these conditions due to an eye injury in-service. The decision found no evidence of a nexus between the current psychiatric disorders and service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's partial laryngectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under current regulations. For his psychiatric disability, the claim is being denied as the Veteran failed to report for a necessary examination without good cause.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are more closely approximated by a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is granted, effective December 13, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is related to his service, and the Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to deny this claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with TBI residuals resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include psychiatric disorders, low back disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for severe recurrent major depression without psychotic features, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his service in Guatemala and have continued since then.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) and stomach condition are remanded for additional medical opinions to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded because no VA examiner has provided a nexus opinion on its presumptive service connection under the PACT Act. The Veteran's total potential toxic exposure throughout his military service must also be considered.,The Veteran's right and left ankle conditions are remanded for additional medical opinions to determine their etiology, specifically considering his in-service injuries and repetitive jumping with a 100-pound backpack on his back.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is remanded for an additional medical opinion to determine its etiology, specifically considering his in-service right ankle sprain.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied in an August 2012 rating decision. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at November 8, 2017, which corresponds to the date of receipt of his Intent to File application.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder, other specified depressive disorder, and dissociative amnesia. The claim for PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran's symptoms overlap with his already service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as presumptively related to his service in Djibouti. The cases for celiac disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, and the case for basal cell carcinoma is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for migraines, major depressive disorder, neck disability, lumbar strain with degenerative changes/arthritis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome was improper. The Veteran's original ratings are restored.

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date prior to November 30, 2016 for service connection of depressive disorder and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back and left ankle conditions, rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 9, 2017.

The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the Veteran's increased rating claim for PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as her TDIU claim. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional information on employment status and a new VA examination.