Depression decisions — 2022

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues on appeal include service connection for various conditions, with some cases involving exposure to herbicide or mustard gas and others requiring consideration of pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment was not marginal and he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to September 29, 2016 and a rating in excess of 50 percent after that date are remanded. The Veteran also has claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected depressive disorder and TDIU.,The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there was no link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and OCD, is related to her service, specifically during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA), and thus grants service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as PTSD, is granted. The Board found that all prior diagnoses (major depressive disorder, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and intermittent explosive disorder) are manifestations of the service-connected PTSD. Service connection for a back disorder and bilateral knee disorders remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for new evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of July 9, 2012. The appeal for a higher rating is remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 16, 2010 for the grant of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder. The claim of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 10 percent for MDD is remanded.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for endometritis is dismissed. The Veteran's claim of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and service connection for colitis, to include irritable bowel syndrome and cryptitis are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a kidney disability was denied. The Board also remanded several other issues, including increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The claim will be further evaluated with a VA examination.

The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 70 percent since January 2012, and the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear notification of an examination for service connection of a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 1, 2019.

The appeal for service connection of a breast disorder is dismissed. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to lack of evidence supporting the claim. Other issues remain remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder) due to new evidence received during the appeal process. The claims are being reviewed on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric conditions. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records, schedule an examination, and provide a nexus opinion.