Depression decisions — 2022

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to September 11, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The issues include her claimed acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and bilateral flatfeet.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to February 24, 2009. The Board granted a retroactive increased rating of 70 percent for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and a TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of medical records, and need for additional assessments.

The Board has remanded both the claim for increased ratings for depressive disorder and the TDIU claim due to issues with the development of evidence, particularly regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder prior to August 26, 2020.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's employment status and history are unclear, and he needs to complete a VA Form 21-8940 to clarify his work history.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to the lack of audiometric criteria meeting VA standards.,Service connection is remanded for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination and opinions to address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and passive-dependent personality, is related to service or secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and PTSD, are granted. The rating for asthma with chronic transitory pleurisy is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder), and headaches.,However, the effective dates for these awards are not earlier than March 12, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset, etiology and nature of the Veteran's psychiatric condition. The Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to determine if his psychiatric condition is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to issues related to the appellant's discharge and service connection claims. The specific issue of whether his character of discharge constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits is also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, and alcohol use disorder, are at least as likely as not related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to August 15, 2020 is being remanded due to insufficient clinical evidence to determine his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to March 11, 2010.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further evaluation, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and a medical opinion on the relationship between his sleep apnea and service-connected PTSD with MDD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased disability ratings for major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, as well as an effective date for a low back disability rating. The Board dismissed these claims due to the withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with a previous remand directive. Additional development is needed, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of all diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety-depressive disorder, as there was no evidence of a direct in-service incurrence or aggravation.