Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA opinion regarding the Veteran's symptoms during his appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for impetigo, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of examination and outstanding records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is now expanded to include any such disorders.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as well as TDIU prior to August 14, 2017, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA VR&E records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of in-service stressors.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence is needed for a determination on service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress, are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ankle disability. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied, and the claims for service connection of back disability and depression are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, due to a lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for the residuals of traumatic brain injury due to service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI, as he requires regular aid and attendance but does not meet criteria for higher levels of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent since September 26, 2022, and the Board has granted a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims for effective date determinations related to service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and panic disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD with self-induced alcohol use disorder, right knee disability, acne, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sub-umbilical hernia. The appeals are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a claimed infection and residuals from VA medical care, finding that the proximate cause of the additional disability was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal regarding a disability rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a higher rating. The Veteran testified that her condition may have worsened since the last VA examination in October 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to include as secondary to his service-connected other specified depressive disorder has been withdrawn and dismissed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically other specified depressive disorder, is granted a rating of 50 percent prior to March 22, 2022, but the issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.