Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and depression have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these issues as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right lower leg condition and a left lower leg condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied, but new evidence has been submitted. The Board has decided to reopen the claim and remand it for further development including an examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinion provided in December 2022 were inadequate, requiring further development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder with chronic sleep impairment is granted secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension, migraines, vertigo, left knee disorders (including left ankle sprain and right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis), right ankle disorders (including left ankle sprain and right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis), right foot disorders (including left ankle sprain and right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis), left foot disorders (including left ankle sprain and right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis), right leg varicose veins, and left wrist disorder are also granted secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The appellant withdrew their appeal for all issues, including gallbladder surgery, depression, and left knee strain and tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining records and corroborating in-service stressors. The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disability are currently pending.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's claims are related to his service-connected conditions and other health issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, PTSD, and major depressive disorder due to outstanding medical records and the need for a VA mental disorders evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD, hearing loss, stroke, numbness of the feet, and TDIU prior to March 18, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms began during his military service and have persisted since then. The decision is based on credible testimony from the Veteran and his spouse regarding their observations of his mental health issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to conflicting medical opinions and need for additional verification of in-service stressor. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including MDD and PTSD, are being evaluated.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, due to MST. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or a link between current symptoms and any such events.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation of why it found the Veteran's reports of his work as a medical specialist unbelievable. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination for MDD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is granted. Additionally, the Veteran's increased rating claim for urinary tract infection with cystitis is granted at a 60 percent disability rating effective June 26, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI has been granted a separate 10% rating for aphasia with dizziness, and the original non-compensable rating for TBI is maintained. The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50% since December 17, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but not higher, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, including anxiety and depression. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum VA opinion to clarify these diagnoses and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his right shoulder strain is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and an acquired psychological disability to include depression due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include PTSD, major depressive disorder, cervical strain, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with thoracic scoliosis, hemorrhoids, left knee strain, tinnitus, painful left foot scar, degenerative joint disease of the left foot with hallux valgus, Crohn's disease status post colectomy, and a right leg condition.