Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disabilities have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn all items on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The Veteran also withdrew her appeal regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic herpes.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has found that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his claims for cervical spine condition, psychiatric disability, and lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and Adjustment Disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The evidence shows that her current psychiatric symptoms are as likely as not related to her active military service.

The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, effective June 27, 2019, finding that these conditions result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of depressive disorder was denied as there were no pending claims prior to November 6, 2012.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period prior to May 8, 2017 due to his service-connected lumbar spine and psychiatric disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has vacated the July 2021 decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no credible supporting evidence of a stressor event, and his diagnoses are not linked to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder not otherwise specified due to incomplete military personnel records.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are rated at 50% prior to April 2, 2022, and 70% thereafter. The appeal for increased ratings is remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as anxiety and depression, is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, cardiac disability, and residuals of appendectomy.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0 percent, effective from July 16, 2010. The Board found the criteria for a compensable rating have not been satisfied.,An initial evaluation of 70 percent, but not higher, for an unspecified depressive disorder for the purposes of accrued benefits is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been granted a 70% rating, effective February 28, 2020. The TDIU claim is also granted from July 6, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The cervical spine disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's stomach disorder is not currently service-connected.,A compensable rating for hemorrhoids has been dismissed.,Service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety has been granted.,Service connection for lumbar spine strain, arthritis and IVDS has been granted.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted as secondary to the low back disorders.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.,The Veteran's stomach disorder is not currently service-connected.

The Veteran had a permanent and total service-connected disability at the time of his death, qualifying for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to assess his lumbosacral strain and adjustment disorder. The issues of service connection for upper and lower extremity neurological disorders are also remanded.

An initial rating of 100 percent for a major depressive disorder is granted.,The issue of an effective date earlier than April 23, 2018, for the grant of service connection for a major depressive disorder is dismissed. The application to reopen a claim of service connection for a heart disability is granted.