Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted a 70 percent disability rating from September 28, 2016 through July 8, 2021. A higher rating is denied for the period after July 9, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical guidance to determine the etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a procedural defect and additional evidence received after the issuance of the April 19, 2022 SSOC. The AOJ is instructed to consider this new evidence in its first instance.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy/neuritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of a higher rating. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder has been temporarily rated at 100 percent from September 26, 2018 to January 31, 2019.,The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent prior to September 26, 2018, and the Board finds no evidence of a higher rating. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder has been temporarily rated at 100 percent from September 26, 2018 to January 31, 2019.

The Veteran's panic disorder without agoraphobia is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The rating will remain in effect until the Appellant's death.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial higher rating for his service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA clinical records.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a medical examination. The issues of TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) are all granted. However, his claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. His claim for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for heart murmur, acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate cancer, sleep apnea, laryngitis, and diabetes were denied. The claim for heart murmur was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. Claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate cancer, sleep apnea, laryngitis, and diabetes remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, sexual disorder, and ADHD. His back disability and bruxism claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted as they are found to be related to a personal assault during service.

The Veteran's PTSD and psychiatric disorder are rated at 70 percent prior to May 4, 2020. A TDIU is granted prior to June 8, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to new evidence, lack of a nexus opinion, and need for additional examinations. The issues include psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral conjunctivitis, hemorrhoids, and hyperparathyroidism.

The Veteran's mental health disability, which includes PTSD, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and insomnia, was restored to a 100% evaluation effective from November 1, 2017. The decision is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 15, 2016. The Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran has additional acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, and to determine if there is a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence and a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, has been granted. The Veteran is also granted a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 25, 2017 and in excess of 30 percent from July 25, 2017 and thereafter for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depressive Disorder, finding that new evidence supports these claims. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, anxious distress, and alcohol abuse are remanded. The claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disability claim.