Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to PTSD, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on April 19, 2016 is denied because the care was not pre-approved and did not qualify as emergency treatment. The Board found that a prudent layperson would not have expected a delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, based on a diagnosis under the DSM-5, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor (sexual assault), and medical evidence linking current symptoms to that stressor.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development of evidence, including missing SSA records and VA examination opinions that did not address relevant lay and medical evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining in-service mental health records and a VA examination. The issues include determining service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and its etiology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as MDD, is related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of cervical strain (neck disability) is granted with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for paranoid schizophrenia is granted, but the Board has remanded to determine if he has any other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder and whether it is related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for depression disorder, left knee disability, left ankle disability, and left foot disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his depression disorder or for service connection for his left knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected Bell's palsy.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic disorder is rated at 70 percent effective from November 8, 2013. This rating grants a higher disability evaluation for his psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's MDD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 11, 2017 and has been increased to 50 percent since that date.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities, and a rating of 30 percent for her neck disability from August 1, 2013 to July 19, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, anorexia nervosa, and major depressive disorder have resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for these conditions as of March 25, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The decision is pending further development of her medical records and a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders not including PTSD and denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of in-service stressors.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's claim was not based on new and relevant service department records. The earliest possible effective date is March 17, 2005.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for depressive disorder prior to November 23, 2021, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder with sleep impairment, and thus service connection is granted for this condition.