Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder with adjustment disorder, bilateral knee conditions, and carpal tunnel syndromes, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's account of fear of hostile military or terrorist activity in connection with his deployment to Lebanon during Operation Fluid Drive, caused by incoming enemy weapons fire, is credible and consistent with the circumstances of his service. The evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to this stressor event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened, and a TDIU is granted. The Board finds that new evidence supports reopening the claim. Left ear hearing loss and foacal mononeuropathy with winged scapula are remanded due to worsening symptoms not addressed in previous examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided are inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including ADHD, unspecified depressive disorder, and anxiety, are related to his service.

The Veteran's right hip and knee disabilities, as well as his major depressive disorder prior to August 12, 2014, are granted with specific disability ratings.,A 20 percent rating is granted for limitation of abduction of the right hip, a 10 percent rating is granted for limitation of extension of the right hip, and a 40 percent rating is granted for limitation of flexion of the right hip prior to August 12, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his lumbar spine, cervical spine, knee, shoulder, and ankle disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's need for a higher level of aid and attendance, necessitating hospitalization or other institutional care, is granted from April 8, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder due to a lack of sufficient medical opinion considering all relevant evidence, including lay statements.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety, depression, and PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claim remains in remand status as a VA examination is required to determine if his condition is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral feet, and ankles have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's in-service stressors and for a VA examination to assess his acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD and Depression due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as VA treatment records are incomplete and a VA psychiatric examination is required.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from December 3, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted. His claim of depression with drug and alcohol abuse was granted, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse). The right ear hearing loss claim was dismissed due to the grant of service connection in another ear. The left ear hearing loss rating remained denied.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by his mental health disability and is not otherwise related to service. The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

Service connection for Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis, and anxiety and depression (as secondary to ulcerative colitis), is granted.,Further claims for gallstones, bowel disorder, back disability, and degenerative arthritis of the joints are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the right foot condition is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all remaining issues on appeal, including the TDIU and increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with panic disorder.