Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, is reopened. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and depression is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a jaw disability (claimed as locked jaw) was denied due to the absence of evidence of current disability during or shortly after service.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of an in-service onset and no current diagnosis.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depression, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's initial and higher ratings for depression, right and left total knee replacements, sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and right knee effusion have been granted. The effective dates for these claims are set as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased evaluation of Major Depressive Disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The claim for bilateral hip osteoarthritis (also claimed as steel pelvis) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was initially denied, but granted after June 25, 2018 and October 3, 2019.,For the periods prior to June 25, 2018 and from October 3, 2019, an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction, but denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from October 15, 2014, for lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, attention deficit, and memory loss, is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to an in-service injury.,Service connection for residuals of cancerous cervical polyps is denied due to lack of evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to an in-service injury.,Service connection for hysterectomy associated with residuals of cancerous cervical polyps is denied as there is no secondary service connection available since the condition is not service-connected.,Service connection for athlete's feet is denied as there is no current disability found, and the Veteran has not provided evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to this claim.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as her testimony supports an in-service onset and continuity of symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent from October 15, 2009 to April 16, 2019. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of subdural hematoma and total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to November 7, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied. The claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from February 5, 2018 to April 19, 2021.,From April 20, 2021 onwards, the issue of TDIU is moot as his combined disability rating is now at 100%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether they are well-grounded. The claim of type II diabetes mellitus is granted as new and material evidence was received. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is also granted as new and material evidence was received. However, the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a left ankle disability, and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for residuals of TBI has been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. After considering all evidence of record, the Board finds that there is a reasonable balance of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with a depressive disorder, has been granted. The evidence showed that the Veteran experienced personal assault and military sexual trauma during service which led to current mental health issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates due to outstanding records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to his death. The Board lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.