Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment, so the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for hearing loss, migraines, and TBI were denied. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use and unspecified depressive disorder was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 27, 2018 for the grant of service connection for migraines was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee conditions and mental health issues, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression, and right knee scars are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there are no manifestations that would warrant a higher evaluation.,There is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran does not have a disability for which he can receive service connection.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disability (depression).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's MDD with GAD is rated at 30 percent prior to October 25, 2017. The claim for a higher rating and TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding his employment and training history. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting an examination of the service-connected PCS.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, depressive disorder as secondary to bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral eye disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service combat experience and his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at the 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder since April 6, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD were rated at 50% prior to September 5, 2018. Effective September 5, 2018, the rating was increased to 70%. The increase is granted.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for depressive disorder has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has dismissed appeals for initial ratings and effective dates related to depression, anxiety, and a low back disability. The remaining issues of increased ratings for the low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, diabetes, head disability (including TBI), and acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and depression). The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied for the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including an adjustment disorder with depression, is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's chronic low back pain syndrome is also found to be etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted a compensable evaluation prior to February 20, 2020 and a 10 percent evaluation from February 20, 2020 to October 6, 2020. The appeal regarding entitlement to TDIU prior to January 9, 2019 is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been dismissed as these issues have been granted.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have also been dismissed as these issues have been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) has been remanded.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for urination/voiding dysfunction and hypertension have also been remanded.