Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 17, 2021. The Board denied his claim for TDIU during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including diagnosed PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder symptoms, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service stressful events.

The Board has denied reopening the claim for service connection for a low back condition and has remanded several other issues including evaluations for knees, ankle, and psychiatric conditions. The case is also remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including providing the names and curriculum vitae of VA examiners who conducted relevant examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 4, 2008 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a remand is needed to obtain mental health treatment records from Wuerzburg or Mannheim, Germany and add VAMC records since April 2017. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment as of June 2, 2006. The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 2, 2006 for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to a service-connected low back condition.,The Veteran's cause of death (suicide) is also found to be related to his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for depressive disorder is dismissed. The ratings for right hip bursitis and tendonitis, as well as right ankle disability, are restored to their previous levels.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, residuals of a head injury, and bone spurs, left heel due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was reopened and granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The issue of a higher rating for the service-connected back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's OSA is also granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from June 5, 2017, to February 21, 2018. The Board granted TDIU during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and outstanding records. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, shoulder, elbow, and knee disabilities, as well as a head injury.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, high blood pressure, MDD, GAD, insomnia disorder, and alcohol abuse disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are found to be related to his active duty service in the Army National Guard, with a period of ACDUTRA in June 1981. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including general anxiety disorder, anxiety not otherwise specified (NOS), and depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or inaccurate information regarding his reported in-service stressors, and for a VA opinion on whether he has PTSD that is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected Bell's palsy and major depressive disorder do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.