Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder with depressed features is granted. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's death pension benefits were denied due to the appellant's net worth exceeding the maximum net worth limitations.,Accrued benefits for increased ratings of depression, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer are remanded as well as service connection for head and neck cancer on an accrued basis, special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance, and TDIU. The cause of death is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and evaluation, including a review of in-service stressors and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal, including the issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and a right ankle disorder, reopening the claims based on new evidence submitted since the last denial in March 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's left zygomatic arch fracture, including its current level of severity and whether nerve involvement should be considered under other potentially applicable rating codes.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was granted service connection. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include as secondary to service-connected back and knee disabilities, is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and insomnia are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric including PTSD and/or an unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder due to unresolved stressor verification issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and gastritis due to unclear diagnoses and lack of relevant VA treatment records. Further examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the claimed conditions to active duty. The appellant's left knee, right knee, and left foot disabilities are all being reviewed, as well as her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to schedule a DRO hearing as requested by the Veteran. The cases are now pending for further action.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional accrued benefits, finding that she was not entitled to reimbursement as her relationship with the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a child or fiduciary. The Board also found that the in-home care expenses were reimbursed by the Veteran and thus could not be considered as paid out of her own funds.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with mood disorder, MDD, and TBI prior to October 11, 2021, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for clarification on whether certain symptoms overlap between PTSD and TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that there is insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, schizoaffective personality disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder NOS, paranoid schizophrenia, and adjustment disorder with depressive features, is remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination as per the Board's February 2022 remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of nexus opinions based on STRs and continuity of care after service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his military experiences are also considered.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination for the Veteran's low back disability and service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, elbow, wrist, hand, and respiratory disabilities. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his low back disability and service connection for various conditions.

Your service-connected depressive disorder has been rated at 100% since April 16, 2010. As a result, you are already eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the housebound rate due to your disability. Therefore, there is no longer any need to consider whether you are entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).