Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's MDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran's left hip condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn at a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The claims for degenerative disc disease, lumbar radiculopathy, and generalized anxiety disorder with dysthymia have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left leg numbness is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for prostate cancer is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation based on the cessation of active treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS; service connection for a respiratory disorder and OSA; and an initial compensable rating for essential tremor. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, including from Dr. H. at Goldsboro Psychiatric Clinic.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain relevant medical records and provide an updated VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being considered on a new-and-material basis, as her claim was previously denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to unresolved issues related to service connection and TDIU. The neurocognitive disorder case is specifically addressed, requiring an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's appeal for various disability ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorders, depression, and personality disorder is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an in-service occurrence of stressors leading to PTSD or other psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and depression, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions did not worsen during his service or were otherwise incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his major depressive disorder and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case if benefits remain denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to new evidence and testimony.

The Veteran's daughter, C.P., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to severe obesity and depression. The claim is granted as new evidence supports the original finding.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted, with an initial rating of 50% effective November 9, 2009. The issue of Depression with Paranoia remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and several other conditions are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for knee, shoulder, headache, sleep apnea, and diabetes disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and diabetes is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since September 12, 2019.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The rating for hemorrhoids remains noncompensable, but the issue of entitlement to a higher rating is remanded. Service connection for back disability and PTSD are also remanded due to insufficient evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues on appeal.