Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder and right ankle strain, render him unemployable. The Board finds that the criteria for a Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) have been met.

For the period prior to April 24, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent disabling.,For the period from April 24, 2013 to May 20, 2018, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot disability, headache disability, chest pain disability, and psychiatric disability due to conflicting VA opinions and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in determining the onset of each condition.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder (also claimed as generalized anxiety disorder/general mood disorder due to MST) before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU prior to July 2, 2018 are all inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and various diagnosed psychiatric disability for further development due to insufficient opinions in the June 2018 remand.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are related to her service-connected conditions, including her recently granted allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 30, 2020. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left elbow disability and increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's depression is being considered as secondary to his service-connected right midfoot degenerative joint disease with pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee instability, and a scar on his right knee due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the existence of these conditions and the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and bipolar affective disorder, is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a total schedular rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression with panic disorder and alcohol use disorder, bilateral hallux valgus (bunions), painful surgical scars on the feet, pes planus, hammer toes of the feet, and thoracolumbar strain and scoliosis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic disorder and alcohol use disorder has prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and neurobehavioral effects due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, finding that the evidence did not support a causal link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, migraine headaches, and nerve damage to the feet are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. Service connection has been granted for hepatitis C and a depressive disorder secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her in need of regular aid and attendance, which is required to protect her from hazards or dangers incident to her daily environment. As a result, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.