Depression decisions — 2022

The reduction of the rating for adjustment disorder, with abnormalities of mood now diagnosed as major depressive disorder, from 100 percent to 50 percent, effective January 1, 2019, was proper.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning and failure to address the adequacy of the June 2015 VA examination. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not linked to service, but a new examination should be conducted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that his major depressive disorder caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, right knee disability, left knee disability, and lumbar degenerative changes as there was no new and material evidence submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 14, 2017 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unemployable because of his service-connected depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also denied from March 14, 2017 to May 31, 2022 and June 1, 2022 onward as the Veteran's combined disability rating does not meet the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate cancer and hypertension, but remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including a depressive disorder and PTSD). The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, exposure to burn pits, and additional examination. The Veteran's prostate cancer, bilateral foot fungal disorder, and skin cancer of the right cheek are being examined for potential links to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to his dental disability and depression. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, conduct a dental examination, and adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is granted a 100% evaluation prior to September 11, 2019. The issue of TDIU remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression/anxiety, a right knee condition, and initial increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, and bilateral hearing loss are dismissed. The Veteran's claims for an initial increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy and left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy are also dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence and testimony provided by the Veteran, including military personnel records and additional private psychiatric treatment records. A VA examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses and provide a medical opinion that takes into account these records.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, Seizure Disorder, Right Knee Condition, Left Knee Condition, and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Sleep Disturbances, and Anxiety). The decision also denied service connection for Psoriasis.,There was no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The rating for Social Anxiety Disorder with Persistent Depressive Disorder and PTSD prior to April 2, 2018 was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. From April 2, 2018, the rating remained at 70 percent due to continued occupational and social impairment. The claim for Seborrheic Dermatitis was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding no in-service injury or disease related to the current conditions.

The Board has determined that the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD must be reconsidered, and additional development is needed to verify one of the Veteran's in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, including right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, uterine fibroids, arthritis, skin disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, shin splints, migraine headaches, and anemia. The Board has determined that these claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder, alcohol use disorder, depression and anxiety. The Board has remanded this issue due to a need for clarification on the effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder), but denied service connection for hypertension, eczema, and a low back disability. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that his current diagnoses are not related to his military service.