Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The Veteran is seeking a determination on whether her claims should be granted prior to September 11, 2012.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his ability to perform daily activities independently.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as his diagnosis is supported by credible evidence and there is no clear or unmistakable error in prior determinations. The claim is granted.

Service connection granted for right ankle disability and left ankle disability as secondary to service-connected right ankle disability. A 10 percent rating is granted prior to June 11, 2021, for chronic sinusitis; a separate 10 percent rating is granted for rhinitis secondary to chronic sinusitis. Service connection denied for PTSD with depressive disorder and tenosynovitis of the right hand.,Service connection established for right ankle disability due to overuse/injury during service. Left ankle disability was determined to be aggravated by right ankle condition.

The Board has granted service connection for alopecia and reopened the claim of service connection for depression. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to alopecia, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was granted a 100% rating effective May 16, 2018. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his service and these conditions. A new VA examination is needed.

The claim for PTSD is reopened, but the Board has ordered a new VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, a neurological disorder (including Parkinson's disease and restless leg syndrome), and a hysterectomy have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the claim for a TDIU from July 15, 2014 to June 10, 2015. The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety, depression, and a sleep disorder rated at least 70 percent combined with his migraine headaches rated 30 percent made him eligible for a TDIU effective June 10, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and Gulf War Syndrome. The claims will be reviewed again with additional examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and substance abuse, finding that his current conditions are more likely related to substance abuse rather than service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a neurobehavioral disorder manifested by depression, fatigue, poor concentration, memory loss, and insomnia has been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of PTSD and major depressive disorder, resulting in the dismissal of this claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), and found that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The evidence now supports a finding that the Veteran's depressive disorder NOS is related to active duty service.

The Board has requested a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia, PTSD, depressive disorder, and substance abuse disorder. The examination is needed due to conflicting statements in the clinical record regarding the presence of pre-service psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for the initial 70 percent rating for his major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, as it was factually ascertainable that he had symptoms of this condition at least as early as August 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her service-connected major depression with anxious distress is remanded due to outstanding treatment records and the need to assess current severity.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, including a mood disorder examination and an evaluation of his left knee disability in both active and passive motion.