Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder (to include hypertension and premature atrial contractions) has been reopened, and the claim is granted.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's asthma and acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, are remanded for further development as VA has not yet fulfilled its duty to assist in developing the claims.

The Board has denied service connection for a testicular condition and remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, depression (claimed as PTSD), fungus condition, athlete's foot, and sinus condition. The initial rating claim for left knee condition is also remanded.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus remains pending with the need to obtain medical records and provide an opinion on its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding his psychiatric, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, high blood pressure, low back problems, and skin condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, including failure to consider his alleged in-service stressors. The VA must obtain additional medical records and attempt to corroborate his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, left upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, tinnitus, scar with puncture wound residuals, and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder was granted with an effective date of August 3, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating of 10 percent for Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy was also granted with an effective date of August 3, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service or his service-connected diverticulitis, including by way of aggravation.

The Veteran's SMC benefits were discontinued due to a claim of CUE in the original rating decision. The Board has ordered a remand for an audit to determine if any compensation benefits have been improperly paid and for clarification on her TDIU status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder due to a lack of compliance with previous remand orders, including scheduling an appropriate VA examination. The case is now pending further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, has been dismissed due to the Veteran opting into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, bipolar, and major depressive disorders, is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to conduct a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to lack of compliance with examination requirements, need for new evidence, and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 70 percent and no higher for major depressive disorder with substance abuse disorder is granted, but the case is remanded to determine if TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder is granted a disability rating of 100 percent, effective from January 29, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are related to in-service personal assault. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions and also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for a sleep disorder, finding that his symptoms are already contemplated in his service-connected psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.