Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Service connection has also been granted for PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected polysubstance abuse and dependence is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a TBI with depressive disorder and COPD with pneumothorax.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the appellant's psychiatric conditions. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which may be related to in-service stressors or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for peripheral vestibular disorder and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support an increase in disability ratings or a finding of unemployability due to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with depressive disorder prior to November 28, 2023 is remanded due to incomplete treatment records from the Vet Center in Dayton, Ohio. The issue remains on appeal as an increased rating has been granted effective November 28, 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress caused occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent from February 10, 2016.

The Board has denied service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, Left Knee Disability, and Right Knee Disability as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, left foot disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, herpes, cervical spine disability (secondary to PTSD), right and left hip pain, and hypertension. The only condition granted was an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety and other stressor related disorder).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unresolved questions regarding the Veteran's fatigue, spinal tuberculosis, and acquired psychiatric disability. The case will be further examined to determine if active TB was present during service and its impact on current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU for his acquired psychiatric condition was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating, with the exception of a temporary total rating during hospitalization in January 2016.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected MDD is granted, and his back disability remains at a 20 percent rating. The left ankle posttraumatic synovitis continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected psychiatric, neck, and low back disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The claims will be addressed again with new evaluations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety, claimed as psychotic disorder, is granted at a 70 percent disability rating. An earlier effective date of December 21, 2017 for this condition is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has been granted an initial 100 percent rating, representing total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of multiple conditions, including psychiatric disorders and hearing loss. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.