Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's mental health disability, specifically anxiety and depression, is now rated at 70 percent disabling. The TDIU claim based on a single service-connected disability (mental health) has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected major depressive disorder due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship between the conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to link any diagnosed psychiatric condition to service.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,PTSD, depression, anxiety, angina, and fatigue are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, and his TDIU appeal was dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, and TDIU have been reopened. The claim for hepatitis C has been granted, and the claim for TDIU is granted with a combined rating of 60 percent from January 20, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for headaches, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, posttraumatic stress syndrome with depression, muscle pain of the back and calves due to an undiagnosed illness. Additional VA examinations are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active service. The claim is denied in part as TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressor and thus no etiological link between his current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia, had its onset in military service. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including statements from the Veteran about in-service stressors and treatment records indicating a diagnosis of PTSD related to Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for residuals of a head injury with depression and secondary insomnia is denied, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,A separate 10 percent rating for headaches prior to February 8, 2021, and a 30 percent rating since that date are granted.

A rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is now rated at 100 percent since April 30, 2012. This also grants special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 5, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The TDIU claim is also remanded as the Veteran has not yet submitted a TDIU claim form.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cause of death and TDIU on accrued benefits purposes due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions.

The Veteran's depression and TMJ disorder are now service-connected, with effective dates of April 6, 2010 for depression and March 1, 2012 for TMJ disorder. The Veteran is also eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's contentions and the time since his last examination. The hearing loss claim is remanded for a new VA examination, while the other claims are remanded for obtaining complete VA treatment records from the early 1990s to May 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding requests and lack of proper communication regarding a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating.