Depression decisions — 2022

Service connection for hepatitis C is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including mood disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted.,The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his TBI with headaches remains pending as the issue has been remanded.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened, but the case is remanded to determine if any diagnosed condition was caused or aggravated by prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, kidney failure, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence, and he has requested a waiver for this additional review. The issues include rating adjustments for pes planus and service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot hallux valgus. Service connection for left foot hallux valgus and a right knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence added after the October 2017 SOC. The Veteran's representative will decide whether to waive initial AOJ consideration of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of March 17, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence, and TDIU due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his acquired psychiatric disorder and asthma, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 28, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, was denied as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish a causal relationship between his current psychiatric symptoms and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure, is remanded. The AOJ must obtain relevant treatment records, determine the Veteran's presumed exposure status under the Blue Water Navy Act, schedule VA examinations, and address the claims based on the evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD, as these issues are inextricably intertwined. The RO is instructed to obtain updated medical records, confirm the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, and request addendum opinions from a psychologist or psychiatrist regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, and from a clinician regarding his GERD.

The Veteran's other specific trauma and stressor related disorder, uterine leiomyomata, anxiety condition, depression disorder, and bladder condition are all granted service connection. The cases for uterine leiomyomata as secondary to PTSD, anxiety condition, and depression disorder, and bladder condition as secondary to uterine leiomyomata are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected left foot disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board found new and material evidence for service connection of bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety but denied it due to lack of in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are being remanded for further evaluation, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions. Additionally, the issue of total disability due to individual unemployability is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or related to his active service. The decision also noted that the Veteran had Huntington's disease which caused depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was granted. The other claims were remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.