Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including tinnitus, vertigo (claimed as dizziness and unbalance), an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), memory loss, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity disability, right upper extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right lower extremity disability, left knee arthralgia, and right knee arthralgia are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 3, 2020 was denied as he has not provided the necessary information and there is no indication in the record that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for a TDIU since February 3, 2020, was dismissed as moot because he had a combined schedular rating of 100%.

The Veteran's mental health disability, diagnosed as MDD, recurrent, severe with psychotic features, delusional disorder, and major neurocognitive disorder due to TBI, is granted. The Veteran also receives SMC(t) since January 3, 2017.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for genitalia injury, hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and depression. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of each condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are granted as directly related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service.,The Veteran's hypertensive cardiovascular disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues, specifically failing to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) as required by law. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending and will be reconsidered after the issuance of the SOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are related to active service, including military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than depression (PTSD) and hypertension as due to PTSD are both denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the stressors reported by the Veteran have not been verified.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, and his request for a higher 100 percent rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including panic disorder and major depressive disorder. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded, and the TDIU claim is deferred pending resolution of the psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board granted an effective date of March 15, 2004 for the grant of service connection for PTSD based on a new and material evidence received in October 2013.

From August 2, 2002 to March 10, 2020, the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability was rated at 70 percent.,Effective March 11, 2020, the Veteran received a 100 percent rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.,The Veteran also received SMC based on the housebound criteria effective September 9, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including neurobehavioral manifestations, are related to his military service and exposure at Camp Lejeune. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the prior opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The VA examiner needs to provide more rationale and citation to supporting evidence for each diagnosed condition, address the continuity of symptoms over time, and consider other relevant evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of traumatic brain injuries, post-concussion syndrome, PTSD, depression, and anxiety are granted. The Veteran is also remanded for further examinations to determine the nature and extent of his eye disability, vestibular neuronitis, migraine headaches, cervical spine disabilities, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, but the other issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted. The remaining issues are being remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder has been granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective August 15, 2016.,Effective August 15, 2016, the Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diagnosed other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder are shown to be etiologically related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.