Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) due to the evidence being at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, particularly his claims for PTSD and depression. The case is now pending with a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 22, 2011 for his service-connected PTSD has been granted. The effective date is based on the Federal Circuit's decision that the regulatory change in 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3) was a liberalizing law.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and major depressive disorder have been granted. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and radiculopathy of the upper extremities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records, including from his private psychiatrist in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to have clearly and unmistakably preexisted service but no aggravation was found. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also being examined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is proximately due to her service-connected DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for testicular cancer (seminoma) has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The matter is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether his testicular cancer is related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, including PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 28, 2011, or a disability rating of 100 percent from October 28, 2011, to December 9, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his military service, including herpes. The VA is instructed to obtain a new opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's multiple sclerosis.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to July 22, 2015.,A 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected psychiatric disability was granted from July 22, 2015 and prior to February 19, 2020.,The Veteran's request for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for the service-connected psychiatric disability was denied as of February 19, 2020.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from June 7, 2017 was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and will remand the issue of entitlement to TDIU, as its resolution impacts the rating assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder with anxious features is being remanded due to failure to report for a VA examination and the unavailability of SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for psychiatric conditions and incomplete records. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence linking it to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, bilateral lung disability, breast cancer, and sexual disorder due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities or causal relationships.