Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, postoperative residuals meniscectomy of the left knee with arthritis, lumbar spondylosis, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically regarding the lack of private hospital records from October 12-19, 2020. The TDIU claim is also being remanded for clarification of employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified anxiety disorder, PTSD, unspecified insomnia disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder) on a direct basis. The Veteran's mental health disability is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inconsistencies in his self-report of mental health issues and stressors. The case will be reviewed again after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in an inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 27, 2022. The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding his employment history lacking credibility.

The Veteran's spouse, D.C., is the caregiver and has been assessed for personal care services needs. The Veteran currently requires assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility. However, the claim was remanded due to a lack of completed caregiver training within 90 days from the application date.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 50 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder, finding that her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for such a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and anxiety, was denied as the evidence did not show that VA treatment caused his condition.,The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TBI, gastrointestinal disability (IBS), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral lower extremity disability, bilateral upper extremity disability, and back disability are all REMANDED due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxiety. The claim is based on the Veteran's credible account of symptoms since service during his combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and corroborating alleged stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including his in-service shooting incident and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, due to incomplete STRs and lack of a VA examination. The Veteran's STRs show he reported frequent trouble sleeping and occasional insomnia during service, but no in-service diagnosis or treatment for depression. The Board finds that additional efforts are needed to obtain complete STRs and clarify the Veteran's reports of mental health issues.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right hand disorder, a low back disorder, and a right leg injury due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an addendum opinion addressing service connection on both direct and secondary theories.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a depressive disorder prior to November 2, 2016, and his initial rating for depression have both been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's current condition is traceable to his service in The Old Guard.