Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for bronchial asthma and right hip condition have been remanded due to the need for further development. Her claim for allergic rhinitis with chronic upper respiratory infections has been granted, as well as her PTSD claim based on MST.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received and remands the case for further development including verification of reported stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied, with the decision finding that his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on a single disability. The Veteran's SMC claim is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied, and the Board also remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD. The appeal is now pending on whether higher SMC benefits are warranted based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for anxiety/depression and diabetes mellitus type II is denied.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is remanded due to lack of a VA examination opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, tremor disorder, and psychiatric disorders to include PTSD, MDD, and GAD due to their secondary nature to service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to the wants of nature, or require regular care from another person. As such, he is not in need of aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder as secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and needs to be obtained from various sources. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for Kaiser Permanente records from the early 1980s.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding insufficient rationale in previous opinions and issues of inextricability with another pending appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to consider delayed onset psychiatric disorders and potential exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS prior to September 1, 2015 is granted.,An initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS from September 1, 2015 is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that his symptoms of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks are manifestations of his already service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, as well as a herniated disc in the thoracolumbar spine, were previously denied. New evidence was submitted to reopen these claims, but it did not provide sufficient material to substantiate them.,A rating of 20 percent has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss since July 21, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's depression is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for a throat disorder was dismissed as it is considered a symptom of the Veteran's service-connected GERD.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective May 26, 2011, based on the combined effects of service-connected disabilities rendering the Veteran incapable of substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, anxiety disorder with agoraphobia, and PTSD have resulted in a 70 percent disability rating for depression from October 7, 2009. The decision also granted TDIU effective October 7, 2009.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar affective disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, stimulant use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and substance-induced depressive disorder with anxious distress. The issue of dental condition was dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cardiovascular disability (claimed as heart disease) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.