Depression decisions — 2024

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for depression, right shoulder disability, lower back (lumbar spine) disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and right ear hearing loss due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury and major depressive disorder have resulted in his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected TBI. From July 18, 2016, the Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70% for his TBI with PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is being remanded due to the failure to schedule an examination as part of the May 2023 Board remand.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn, and the appeal as to these issues is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the period on appeal. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of all diagnosed psychiatric conditions and a lack of a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the in-service stressors that would link the Veteran's current diagnoses to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted. Additionally, his claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was also granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating for the period prior to November 27, 2013. For the period beginning November 27, 2013, his claim for higher ratings was denied. The Veteran also received grants for service connection of bilateral shin splints and right knee chondromalacia with retained shrapnel and leg length discrepancy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left foot condition, right foot condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The Veteran's claim for residuals of left testicular surgery is also being remanded.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric condition (major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder) due to outstanding private treatment records and unverified in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim for residuals of left testicular surgery is also being remanded.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since June 16, 2010. He also receives TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate effective January 7, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination and for further evidentiary development. The issues are inextricably intertwined as resolution of these claims will have a significant impact on the Veteran's claim for treatment purposes under Chapter 17 and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including GAD, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and depression, may be related to his service. However, a VA examination is needed to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a 70% rating from April 9, 2020 to May 20, 2023. The appeal for an increased rating prior to April 9, 2020 and after May 20, 2023 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and hypertension have been denied as they are not related to service.,Additional development is needed for the issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD with dysthymia due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for additional development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric and bilateral peripheral neuropathy disabilities. The decision is based on a private medical opinion that found the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused by fragmented sleep due to his service-connected conditions.