Depression decisions — 2022

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder, renal disease, and hypertension due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to his military and childhood trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a sleep condition, and a heart condition are being remanded. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and TDIU are being remanded.,,,,

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound status was denied as he did not meet the requirements of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, which would qualify him for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, atherosclerotic heart disease, sleep apnea, and residuals of plantar warts of the right foot, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 18, 2014. The Board has granted TDIU effective from February 26, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression. This includes attempting to corroborate his reported in-service stressors and engagement in combat, as well as providing adequate notice and assistance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported treatment history and need for additional evidence, including clinical records from a therapist who treated him since 1988. The claim will be further developed to determine if there is sufficient corroborating evidence of the claimed stressor.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension due to new and material evidence. The claims for tuberculosis, left ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability are denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability. The claim for migraine headaches is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent evaluation from June 1, 2012, to February 10, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not make her permanently bedridden, substantially confined to her home or premises, or unable to care for her daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, she is denied special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily PTSD and MDD, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment from May 17, 2018 to January 16, 2019. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period but the issue of whether the September 2010 rating decision denying service connection for cervical spine disability should be revised or reversed on grounds of CUE is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depression, anxiety, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed.,Service connection has been reopened for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that remand is necessary to determine if his symptoms warrant a higher rating. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's MDD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted. The claim for service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment since July 1, 2017. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for this condition effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of June 24, 1998 for service connection for ED is granted. The earlier effective date for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to epididymitis is also granted.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and ED are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands both issues for further development.