Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not ensuring compliance with a previous remand order, specifically regarding the need for a VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or superimposed on his nonservice-connected personality disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a respiratory condition (emphysema), and reopening service connection claims for various conditions. Additional development is required to obtain SSA records and update the attorney's mailing address.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding missing medical records, specifically group therapy sessions. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his 70% rating for panic disorder and major depressive disorder is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's major depressive disorder prior to May 6, 2015. The Veteran will need a new examination and an updated rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, prostate disorder, skin cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service. The claims are being returned for further development including obtaining VA treatment records from a specific time period and scheduling additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as caused by and aggravated by service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's statements indicating that his MDD symptoms are exacerbated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board also ordered a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted service connection. The issue of service connection for a prostate disability is remanded due to lack of in-service record.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for major depressive disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to outstanding treatment records not currently in the file. The effective date of service connection remains October 19, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, transient ischemic attack (stroke) residuals, gastrointestinal symptoms, voiding dysfunction, thalamic pain syndrome of the left side, and acquired psychiatric disorder as a stroke residual, have been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant ratings in excess of 10 percent based on flexion limitation. The Veteran's transient ischemic attack (stroke) residuals with difficulty chewing and swallowing are rated at 10 percent. Gastrointestinal symptoms with chronic constipation as a stroke residual have been rated noncompensable prior to April 21, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue regarding burn residuals to right shoulder, bilateral hands, and bilateral arms has been dismissed. The issues of PTSD, an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder NOS), and TDIU are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, anxiety disorder, hypertension, dizziness, kidney cancer, gall bladder disorder, left elbow disorder, neck disorder, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset in active service or were otherwise causally related to active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted service connection as his symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with MDD, left hip strain (flexion), left hip strain (limitation of abduction), and female sexual arousal dysfunction, have impacted her employment. The Board has remanded the case to obtain updated information about the Veteran's earnings and to determine if her part-time employment income is or should be considered marginal in nature.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, low back disability, cervical spine disability, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease.