Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including depressive disorder with memory loss as secondary to medication for service-connected disabilities) and dismissed the claim of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims due to deficiencies in prior examinations, and further review is needed for accurate evaluations of disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 21, 2016 to April 26, 2021. From April 26, 2021, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot as he is already in receipt of a combined schedular evaluation of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability claimed as a sleep disorder including as secondary to his service-connected lumbar and/or cervical spine disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, stomach disability, and heart disability are all found to be secondary to his service-connected lymphoma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his unspecified depressive disorder has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, left wrist, and right wrist disorders are remanded due to the need for additional development of his treatment records from Community Care providers.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and right foot disorders are remanded due to the need for an adequate opinion addressing whether these disabilities are related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, is remanded due to the need for an adequate opinion addressing whether this disability is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and head injury (claimed as CTE) are remanded due to the need for an adequate opinion addressing whether these disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will provide a new examination to assess the severity of his low back disability, and an addendum opinion on whether he has a currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to service or secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection, as they require further development and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further action, including obtaining relevant private treatment records and updating the Veteran's employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from attending to the needs of nature, caring for herself, or protecting herself from the hazards of her environment. The Board has determined that she is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and likely etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress. The Veteran's service records suggest a possible onset during service or related to a back injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to his in-service right third toe exostosis and/or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The claim for a higher rating in excess of 70 percent from March 7, 2018, remains pending.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period from October 29, 2012, through July 4, 2017. Additionally, he is granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate during this same period.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for both conditions.,The Veteran's depression and eye condition (claimed as vision loss) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disability, hypothyroidism, cataracts of the eyes, hypertension, bilateral eye diabetic retinopathy, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and depression, as they were not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to lack of a current diagnosis for PTSD and failure to cooperate with VA examination requests.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, OCD, ADHD, intellectual disability, and narcissistic personality disorder due to a lack of VA examination and treatment records. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound health at entry into service.