Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the Appellant's mental state at the time of his discharge. The issue is whether the character of his discharge constitutes a bar to VA benefits, with an additional inquiry into whether he was 'insane' as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been rated, but his TDIU has been granted from December 12, 2018. The Board finds that more evidence is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, particularly related to psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also being reviewed.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of these conditions based on in-service stressors. The Veteran's claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder to include anxiety disorder was granted at 70 percent effective September 11, 2015. An increased rating in excess of 70 percent for the same conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD, is denied as there is no verified in-service stressor to support the diagnosis of PTSD. The evidence does not indicate any other in-service event that caused a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for depression with PTSD has been granted. The issues of service connection for connective tissue disease, lupus erythematosus, peripheral neuropathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and loss of vision in the right eye have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at a minimum of 70 percent since February 15, 2018.,A TDIU rating for PTSD with depression is granted effective from February 15, 2018. The Veteran also received SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) effective July 30, 2020.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, as opinions are required regarding whether these conditions are related to his sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, prostatitis, or hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues related to cold injury residuals, including right and left hand and foot cold injuries, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case must be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's major depression rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 21, 2012.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to June 1, 2012 was denied as he had substantial gainful employment during this time.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and depression, as secondary to hearing loss. The remand requires a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to exposure to mustard gas and asbestos. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records, verify in-service asbestos exposure, and provide an addendum opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The appeal was also remanded for further action on some issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to attend in-person examinations and recommends scheduling a virtual/video telehealth examination or similar service for an appropriate evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal of these issues during a Board hearing. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, but no higher, from December 31, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining deck logs from the U.S.S. Francis Marion and obtaining relevant medical records.

The appeal for residuals of a bruised kidney was dismissed. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service and continued through present day, granting service connection for this condition. The claims for left ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.