Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and major depressive disorder throughout the appeal period. The issues of increased ratings for knees, earlier effective dates for service connection, an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, TDIU prior to July 19, 2012, and additional SMC are all remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and major depressive disorder has been granted, as the evidence shows a link between his in-service experiences and current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it was caused by or began during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating in excess of 10 percent for lipomata, and TDIU due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending.

The Board found that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday, and thus denied recognition as a helpless child.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since August 1, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are rated at 50 percent, effective from November 14, 2019. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is related to his military service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, diabetes, and carotid artery stenosis were denied as the evidence did not support a causal relationship to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his residual scar of the right eyelid has been granted.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for manic depression, alcohol abuse, and sleep disorder as well as headaches to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depression is granted, with the decision finding that her current mental health conditions are related to her in-service experiences of physical and sexual abuse.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Persistent Depressive Disorder with Melancholic Features, and Adjustment Disorder was granted effective May 26, 2000. The initial rating of 50% is assigned for the acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's left arm radiculopathy is found to be secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disorder.,Other claims are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is reopened, but the Board finds that additional development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for updated evidence.

The Veteran's claims for hair loss, bilateral eye disorder, memory loss (also claimed as mood swings and depression), erectile dysfunction, dermatitis and eczema (a skin condition), and obstructive sleep apnea have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Board dismissed all issues related to initial evaluations, effective dates, and service connection for various conditions. The TDIU claim was remanded due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted service connection. The rating for asthma remains at 30 percent, and the Board finds that TDIU from January 31, 2013 to March 15, 2019 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and mild neurocognitive disorder (mixed type), as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.