Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The claims include issues related to dental disability, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, major depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU prior to November 1, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his service-connected keloid scars. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if he meets the diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disability and if it is at least as likely as not that his condition had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the issues of a higher initial disability rating for Depressive Disorder, a compensable initial disability rating for residuals of NHL, and a TDIU prior to August 30, 2021. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted. The remanded issue of determining the relationship between any acquired psychiatric disability and service is left with the VA examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated polysubstance use and major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment throughout the appellate period, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The claim for service connection of PTSD is reopened, but the case is remanded to obtain verification of in-service stressors and provide a retrospective VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and brain embolisms are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's death is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development regarding his service-connected disability claim, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorder, and/or depressive disorder, as well as a colon disorder. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder has been reopened, and the Board has granted this claim. The issues of service connection for right knee, left knee, and TBI have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, claimed as anxiety and depression, and for insomnia has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot disability has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the March 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was rated at 70 percent prior to September 4, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms met the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including neurocognitive disorder and depressive disorder NOS, are proximately due to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for migraines and persistent depressive disorder has been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for migraines (50%) and a 70% rating for persistent depressive disorder, which meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his depressive disorder and various finger disabilities, have caused significant functional impairment that has prevented him from obtaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 19, 2021. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU rating based on these factors.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case will be remanded for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health disability and tardive dyskinesia have rendered him unemployable for VA purposes from January 30, 2012, through December 31, 2017. A TDIU is granted during this period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and requesting a completed TDIU application form.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to insufficient verification of stressor events. A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and Chronic and Major Depressive Disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current mental health disorders are related to his in-service duties.