Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and right total knee replacement, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety was reopened, and the issue of chronic pain syndrome was dismissed. The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for SMC prior to December 4, 2014 was denied as his service-connected knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and panic disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was denied due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in any of his four extremities. The new evidence received since the April 2007 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and major neurocognitive disorder was reopened but denied due to lack of evidence showing a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and a verified in-service stressor. The new evidence received since the May 2008 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was granted service connection as at least as likely as not incurred during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for folliculitis barbae and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, and TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding medical opinions and additional VA treatment records. The effective date of service connection remains April 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) is dismissed as he has been granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.,SMC benefits are granted, effective August 1, 2012, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and neurocognitive disorder due to depression, finding it is at least as likely as not the condition is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, was granted. The effective date is prior to December 30, 2016, and the rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety), left knee condition, and bilateral pes planus have been denied. The Veteran is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of right knee and shoulder disabilities, but has remanded several issues including rating increases and effective dates.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, sleep apnea, and mental health disability (depression and anxiety).

The appeals of service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, cluster migraine headaches, and depression have been dismissed due to the death of the Appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's right ankle disability claim is remanded as the RO failed to consider his request for rescheduling due to homelessness, resulting in a denial without proper consideration of this issue.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (polysubstance abuse disorder and depression) claim is remanded as new and material evidence was not considered, and an additional VA examination is needed.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for a contemporaneous VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.,The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion claim is remanded for a contemporaneous VA examination and determination of whether the effective date should be earlier than April 14, 2015.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis claim is remanded to determine if the severance of the separate rating was proper.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including erectile dysfunction, headache, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral foot disability, skeletal arthritis, depression, muscle damage to left side, pelvis injury, bilateral eye disability, low back disability, TBI, right hip and knee disabilities, GERD, and bilateral kidney disability. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records from 1988 to present and scheduling a new examination for the right hip.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and alcohol use disorder, is granted as service-connected.