Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since March 30, 2015. The Board found the symptoms did not meet or approximate total occupational and social impairment.,Left hip femoro-acetabular osteoarthritis based on limited extension has been rated at 10 percent since March 30, 2015. The Veteran's flexion is limited to at most 100 degrees with no significant additional loss of motion due to pain or flare-ups.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements about her service experiences.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service experiences. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder with psychotic features.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted from April 20, 2015 to July 6, 2015 due to his service-connected heart disability. SMC at the housebound rate prior to June 26, 2018 is denied as he did not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's angioedema is rated at a maximum of 40 percent, but the Board has granted a 60 percent rating based on chronic refractory urticaria requiring third line treatment.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder (MDD) is rated at 100 percent effective March 31, 2017. The Board found that her MDD warranted this rating as of that date.

The Veteran's left elbow disability was rated at 10% prior to December 16, 2016 and granted a 20% rating beginning from that date. The appeal for higher ratings is still pending.,Service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional information is required to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded them. The issues of TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of psychiatric disorders during service and their relationship to in-service events.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 10, 2017. He is now in receipt of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and a mood disorder, is related to his military service. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to her service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's claim for TDIU should be addressed as part of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for MDD, to include as secondary to PTSD, and for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The reasons for remand include inadequate VA opinions and failure to consider all evidence in the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that his current anxiety and depressive disorders are less likely than not caused by or related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her right wrist condition is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as part of the rating question, due to inadequate VA examination opinions.,,

The Veteran's claim to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for depression and PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence received since the January 2013 and February 2016 rating decisions relates to unestablished facts and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, thus reopening the claim. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection remains remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions for willful and persistent misconduct bars him from receiving service-connected compensation benefits. The appeal is REMANDED to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the appellant's cervical spine spondylosis and his parachute jumps and airborne training during service, as well as an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any PTSD or other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability may be related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus remands for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present left knee disability. The Veteran is also remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his depressive disorder, back disability, radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was granted an initial disability rating of 50% prior to October 15, 2014.,Since October 15, 2014, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has not met the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, is granted as secondary service connection. The Veteran's pulmonary disorder, to include mesothelioma, is remanded for further development.