Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder and opioid use disorder, TBI residuals, tension headaches, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer with associated hypothyroidism and depression is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent since August 1, 2016. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is moot as her service-connected disabilities do not preclude employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to complete a VA Form 21-8940, which is necessary for his TDIU claim. The AOJ must provide him with the form and assist in obtaining updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are service-connected as they are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder, are remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, and for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is not resolved.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder and a skin condition, characterized as acne keloidalis. Additional efforts are needed to obtain records from the Huntsville Hospital and Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent from May 16, 2018 to May 5, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating than 50 percent was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for depressive disorder is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and panic disorder, warrants no more than a 30 percent rating prior to December 13, 2019.,From December 13, 2019 to May 4, 2021, the Veteran's psychiatric disorder warrants a 70 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, unspecified trauma disorder, and persistent depressive disorder due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors. The Board found that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since July 19, 2021. The rating is granted for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, thus SMC based on these criteria is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and panic attacks, are rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they did not cause deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to outstanding records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The issues of increased evaluation for service-connected MDD and TDIU are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claims for depression, anxiety disorder, and insomnia are denied as they are considered symptoms of his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is granted a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD from January 8, 2016 to November 15, 2016, but the claim for a higher rating since then is denied. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to outstanding private treatment records needing review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for persistent depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, hepatitis C, HIV, abdomen tumor residuals, and vertigo have been granted. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the abdomen tumor and vertigo.