Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including effective date for scar, low back prior to April 15, 2017; evaluation greater than 70 percent for anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder; compensable evaluation for scar, low back; and evaluation greater than 40 percent for residuals, status post lumbar discectomy. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for further adjudication by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder, right and left knee strains, tinea unguium, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that these conditions are attributable to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for clarification on his incarceration dates during the appeal period, which may affect eligibility.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are reopened, and he is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board finds the claim for a left ankle disability to be remanded due to inadequate examination findings. His TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lung cancer, kidney/bladder cancer, COPD, hematuria, bone metastasis of the left iliac bone, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent, effective from December 29, 2010. The Board also granted TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ratings for cubital tunnel syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis. The claims are being returned for further development due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration and an inadequate evaluation of the Veteran's migraines and tension headaches.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process and there is no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these cases.

The Veteran's IBS has been granted a 10 percent rating from November 21, 2016. The other issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and depression do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his physical impairments also contribute to his unemployability. The Board denied the TDIU claim due to lack of evidence showing exceptional factors from his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for persistent depressive disorder and an earlier effective date for the 50 percent rating, due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to his symptoms not meeting the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, asthma, bilateral pes planus, back pain, sciatic pain of the lower extremities, osteoporosis, ischemic heart disease, deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, metabolic disorder (hyperlipidemia), diabetes mellitus, benign prostatic hypertrophy with lower urinary symptoms, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination. The Board will attempt to reschedule an examination and consider any new evidence provided by the Veteran.

Service connection granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, seborrheic dermatitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression with anxiety), and sleep disorder (insomnia).,Onychomycosis of the right great toenail service connection is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as sleep apnea that is secondary to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the VA to obtain relevant medical records and associate them with the claims file, including private treatment records from Brandywine ICU.