Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for diverticulosis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The appeal for prostate cancer is dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than panic disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as cervical spine disability. The claims of urinary incontinence and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depressive disorder) are secondary to a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is also denied for the Veteran's lumbar disc herniation at L4-L5 S/P laminectomy; spondylosis and right sided radiculopathy, as well as his cervical spine disability. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been granted a 100% rating effective April 18, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her military service, as evidenced by her in-service symptoms and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had PTSD at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has depression began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for substance abuse was denied as there is no medical professional providing an opinion relating substance abuse to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,Bilateral hearing loss has not been established as a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and OSA have not been granted.,Service connection for headaches has not been granted.,The Veteran's left ankle strain is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if her reported stressor is adequate for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether her symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating and TDIU for major depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD, a TDIU rating based on his service-connected psychiatric disorders alone, and SMC based on a total plus 60 percent disability rating due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran is also required to attend a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's major depression with anxiety disorder progressed to the extent that hospitalization was necessary, resulting in a 70 percent rating from September 12, 2008 to May 10, 2011. The Board finds further development is needed for the remaining issue on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent prior to October 11, 2018, and at 70 percent from October 11, 2018. The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD. The appeal is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has granted the Appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and an updated medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's depressive disorder is directly related to his service, as opposed to being secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between his in-service experiences and his current mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is service-connected on a direct basis (incurred during service or as a result of his service).