Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent from June 11, 2011 to the present. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and for a TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, was denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to April 13, 2017, and a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was denied an initial compensable rating prior to December 30, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for a right hand crush injury. From May 9, 2016 to June 6, 2021, the Veteran's MDD with anxious distress was granted a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The claims for service connection for depression and PTSD are remanded, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient development and medical opinions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder, are being evaluated again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and post-traumatic stress disorder with unspecified depressive disorder have not prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, but the claim for an increased evaluation in excess of this rating is denied. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to scheduling issues and lack of notification regarding a VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is advised that he needs to participate in a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional records from Norfolk Naval Base regarding reported chaplain counseling in 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is now pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and need for further verification of service events. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is being evaluated again to determine its relationship to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment from July 29, 2014 to March 5, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 29, 2020 due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's private treatment records from rehab programs in Branson and Salem, Missouri need to be obtained, as well as VA treatment records since 2015.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (depression) is granted. The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, and a Mood Disorder) are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been rated, but the increased ratings requested are denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% since November 1, 2012, while his bilateral hearing loss was previously rated at 30%, with a subsequent increase to 70% effective June 11, 2016.