Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder and pain disorder with related psychological factors have been granted a rating of 70 percent from July 14, 2015. The right knee condition and shortness of breath claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for alopecia and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to and/or aggravated by service-connected photodermatitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically whether they are related to his in-service stressor. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for persistent depressive disorder, service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension secondary to his service-connected condition, and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The appeals are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder was dismissed due to the absence of a rating decision addressing the issue from February 13, 2012 to February 23, 2014. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder from February 24, 2014 is denied.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entirety of the appeal period, which grants an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service-connected conditions or obesity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not singly render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation before June 24, 2020. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU based on his PTSD.

The Board has found that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic depression. The case will be remanded for an in-person VA PTSD examination and a determination on whether service connection should be granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for compensation for Dupuytren's contracture and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cervical spine disorder. The claims are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.,Service connection was also denied for a joint condition (fibromyalgia), vertigo, sinus condition, headache condition (migraines), and gastrointestinal disability (GERD and hiatal hernia).

The Board has expanded the scope of the Veteran's claim to include a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that his symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he was attending school and had legal issues preventing employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including his stutter, are developmental defects or diseases and whether they were aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, vascular and/or lymphatic diseases of the lower extremities, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and major depressive disorder. The issues include determining whether these conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities or otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and a respiratory disorder, to include allergies, as secondary to military environmental and/or Agent Orange exposure. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, secondary to MST is remanded.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder will be further evaluated based on the results of the VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with prior directives and additional medical examination is required for psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. The claim for service connection for alcoholism will be remanded as well.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity disability and persistent depressive disorder, secondary to service-connected right upper extremity disability on a causation basis.