Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim. His acquired mental disorder (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is rated at a 70 percent rating, also effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and compensation for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, low back disorder, and radiculopathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds a new VA examination is needed to determine if his condition has worsened since the last evaluation in October 2018.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from April 24, 2017 to the present is granted. The issue of a higher rating for depressive disorder with alcoholic/cannabis use disorder with depressive features from June 16, 2010 to September 20, 2018 is dismissed as the Veteran did not file a notice of disagreement.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and previous diagnoses. The Veteran is asked to provide additional details about his service experiences, including witnessing a fellow service member being decapitated by a gate and performing 'postmortem clean-up of corpses.' Additionally, VA treatment records from prior to 2006 are requested.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD and Depression as there is no established diagnosis of these conditions during the current appeal period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, namely depressive disorder with anxious distress, is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of relevant evidence and a lack of an adequate examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for sleep apnea, as these issues are inextricably intertwined. The Veteran is not entitled to a separate rating for his sleep apnea due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 16, 2015 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and arthritis was dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depression disorder was granted with an effective date set at October 1, 1997.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are found to be related to his current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression. The claim for right eye vision disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, migraine headaches, and vertigo, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 80% for these conditions.