Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to outstanding records and need for additional medical examinations. The issues include hemorrhoids, stomach disability, heartburn, neck disability, TBI, headache (migraine), left testicle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's migraine headaches, specifically whether they are related to his service-connected psychiatric conditions or fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including neck disability, bilateral shoulder and elbow disabilities, wrist disabilities, hip disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional service treatment records from October 1979 to July 2000 and request opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to October 19, 2017 and higher than 70 percent from October 19, 2017 through January 2, 2022. The claim for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 50 percent before March 18, 2020, for PTSD and depression is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent thereafter for PTSD and depression is remanded due to the need for updated examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's low back degenerative joint disease is rated at the maximum available rating of 60 percent since June 9, 1986.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated as a 50 percent disability effective February 28, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's pre-service seizure and its relation to his current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence. The Board will evaluate all claims in light of the updated information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), joint disabilities, gout, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and persistent depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service, specifically the MST he experienced during service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD was granted. On de novo review, the Board found that the Veteran has a psychiatric disability related to his military service and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, depression, and explosive disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder, left hip disability, neck disability, and back disability. The issues include rating determinations for these conditions as well as TDIU, SMC, and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and depression, is granted service connection. The thrombosis, poor circulation, and edema are denied due to lack of a causal relationship with service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since April 28, 2017. The Board finds the evidence is approximately balanced as to whether her symptoms more closely approximate a 50 percent rating during this period.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for depression is granted. The Board also remands the issues of rating for left knee disability, service connection for right knee condition, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left ankle disability was withdrawn. The initial 70 percent rating for depressive disorder prior to April 6, 2021 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of depressive disorder since April 6, 2021 remains on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include anxiety, depression and specific phobia disorder. The decision also addressed eligibility for VA health care benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).