Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and any other acquired psychiatric condition are remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the validity of his claimed stressor.,PTSD service connection is remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The Veteran has been provided with another VA examination, but no nexus opinion addressing the relationship between current major depressive disorder and service has been obtained.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, low back condition, respiratory condition (Asthma), and right knee condition are remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examinations or nexus opinions.,PTSD service connection is remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The Veteran has been provided with another VA examination, but no nexus opinion addressing the relationship between current major depressive disorder and service has been obtained.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, low back condition, respiratory condition (Asthma), and right knee condition are remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examinations or nexus opinions.,PTSD service connection is remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The Veteran has been provided with another VA examination, but no nexus opinion addressing the relationship between current major depressive disorder and service has been obtained.,The Veteran's claims for respiratory condition (Asthma) are remanded due to discrepancies between STRs regarding asthma history and the 2020 non-VA provider's opinion. The AOJ should obtain an addendum opinion to clarify whether the Veteran's current Asthma is related to service or pre-existed service.,The Veteran's claims for right knee condition are remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The 2020 non-VA provider provided a nexus opinion, but it did not address or reconcile the Veteran's history of chronic daily alcohol use which can have similar symptoms to TBI.,PTSD service connection is remanded due to insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor and lack of adequate VA examination. The AOJ should obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran has a current TBI or residuals related thereto.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a proposed rating decrease for PTSD with depressive disorder and migraine headaches. The appeals are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and depression are granted as secondary to their respective service-connected conditions (tinnitus for migraine headaches, and migraine headaches for depression).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for major depressive disorder, which was previously filed on November 29, 2023.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from April 15, 2019.,TDIU has been granted from March 12, 2019. The claim for TDIU prior to December 7, 2022, remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current adjustment disorder, previously rated as an acquired psychiatric condition (claimed as persistent depressive disorder, dysthymia, and anxiety disorder), is related to service. The evidence is at least evenly balanced on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 20, 2015 for service connection of major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. However, the Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of September 20, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depression has been rated at 70 percent since January 3, 2013. The Board finds that an even higher rating is warranted due to the severity of her symptoms.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to the lack of a VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected conditions, including headaches, arthritis, sleep apnea, and GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and sleep impairment is rated at 70 percent since May 26, 2016. The effective date for service connection has been denied as no earlier claim was received. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 70 percent prior to September 13, 2018. A 100 percent rating is granted for the period from September 13, 2018, but no earlier. The case of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and MDD is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD with major depression) are granted. The Board finds new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete review of medical records and a need for a new opinion.

The Veteran's proposed reduction from a 70% to a 50% rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was not appealable as it was only a proposal and not a final decision. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current diagnoses of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety condition are proximately due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and alcohol use disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection. The claim for residuals of back injury is remanded.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for depressive disorder was increased to 70 percent, but the Board denied an increase beyond this rating and also denied a TDIU based on a single disability due to his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders. The case will be remanded for these purposes.