Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran is not just diagnosed with PTSD, but also adjustment disorder and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety, are remanded due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Board finds that the new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, as well as tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions provided in prior VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether his obesity from service-connected disabilities is a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and alcohol dependence, finding no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during or were caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, and for a higher rating for left shoulder disability prior to February 18, 2020. The Veteran's history of bipolar disorder and adjustment disorder is considered in the psychiatric claim, and additional functional loss due to flare-ups and range of motion findings are requested.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information from a previous VA examination. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, need further evaluation by a VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a relevant medical opinion from Dr. Gray submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely substantive appeal was received, and thus the December 2015 rating decision denying service connection for multiple disabilities is granted.

A 70 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and MDD is granted, but no higher. The Veteran's symptoms are currently rated as meeting the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. As a result, he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, lung disorder and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or exposure to conditions that would warrant these diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied, and his rating for degenerative arthritis with disc disease and spinal stenosis was reduced from 40% to 10%. His claim for individual unemployability due to major depressive disorder was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a mental health disability, as currently diagnosed. The issues of bilateral hearing loss disability, arthralgia (left knee), status post right knee surgery with patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia, and scar of the right knee associated with status post right knee surgery are dismissed.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Board already ruled on all your issues in a previous decision and there is no remaining case or controversy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and alcohol abuse. The issues of TDIU are also remanded due to their inextricability from the rating issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its decision regarding TDIU and DEA benefits, specifically for the period prior to April 4, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are expected to be reassessed on remand.