Depression decisions — 2024

The appeal regarding right arm numbness, a right shoulder condition, and TDIU is being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 9, 2013 for the grant of a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder. The Veteran is also in receipt of TDIU based on his service-connected depressive disorder since that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw his claim for a higher rating for left knee revision total knee arthroplasty. The Veteran was also granted entitlement to TDIU due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a more contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and osteochondral injury, as well as lumbosacral strain with fusion, have been granted service connection.,Left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted service connection based on their relationship to the service-connected low back disability. The unspecified depressive disorder is granted service connection due to its secondary nature to the Veteran's other disabilities.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, but the Board finds no evidence of a prior claim or intent to file before July 6, 2018.,The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 30 percent from July 6, 2018 to July 24, 2020 and 50 percent thereafter. A remand is required for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD with TBI.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues, particularly regarding his psychiatric disorder, sleep disorder, and hearing loss. The Board is unable to adjudicate these claims without additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and PDD, is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that new evidence had not been submitted to reopen his tinnitus claim, but remanded other issues including depression, lower extremity radiculopathy, shoulder disabilities, knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, neck disability, hip disabilities, irritable colon syndrome, and bladder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issues regarding bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, stroke, foot injury/jungle rot, and bilateral thigh/knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as well as PTSD. The Veteran's claim is inextricably intertwined with her PTSD claim based on an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, but has remanded to determine if an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims that were previously denied or not addressed. The effective dates for some of the service-connected conditions are being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim for back pain remains closed.,Service connection for persistent depressive disorder is granted with a rating of 30% prior to December 16, 2019. The claim for generalized anxiety disorder with depressive features and somatic symptom disorder from that date forward was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The claims for increased ratings for other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress and insomnia disorder and migraine headaches are remanded, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right ankle degenerative arthritis are granted service connection. The skin condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for alcohol dependence, secondary to service-connected major depressive disorder, is being remanded.,No effective date has been assigned as the issue of entitlement to service connection on a secondary basis is being addressed.