Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, bilateral foot disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder NOS).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and missing records. The Veteran is presumed to have PTSD, anxiety, and depression related to her in-service hazing and assault. Her lumbar and neck conditions are also being reviewed as they may be related to service, but more evidence is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, has at least as likely as not prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which education and occupational history would otherwise qualify him since July 22, 2016. TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examinations and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder, is reopened. The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to adjudication of this claim due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent from January 22, 2013 to December 19, 2021. The Veteran's residuals of a punji wound in the left leg were granted a 20% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include schizoid personality disorder and depression due to incomplete records, need for further examination, and need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Depressive Disorder. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other diagnosed psychiatric condition that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify a claimed stressor related to a Naval collision in May 1973 at Norfolk, Virginia.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia is granted. The appeal regarding PTSD, alcohol use disorder and depressive disorder is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional information and evaluation, including seeking treatment records from a specific time period and scheduling a VA mental health examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is being remanded for further evaluation and development, including a TDIU claim. The current severity of his service-connected PTSD will be assessed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as a sleep disturbance, to include obstructive sleep apnea, are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's depression and back problems contributed to his obesity, which in turn caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The decision is based on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and TBI, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination in April 2018, and additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.