Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, tension headaches, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depression disorder and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back condition and remanded it. The depression and cervical spine conditions are also remanded as they may be secondary to the low back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and speech disability are not service-connected due to lack of credible evidence supporting their onset or connection to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for unspecified depressive disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to a lack of adequate consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms in the June 2016 and December 2018 affidavits. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of anxiety with depression secondary to alcoholism and tinnitus, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence in the form of post-service VA treatment records showing diagnoses such as PTSD, major depression, schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, etc., which supports reopening the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depressive disorder, including stressor verification and combat status. The Veteran must provide additional information about his service experiences.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to his service-connected major depression, which contributed to his hyponatremia and ultimately caused his death. The Board found a causal relationship between the Veteran's cause of death and his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied, and the issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for her dysthymia with major depression from May 30, 2012 to March 26, 2014, but not after that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding pre-service OSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically missing private psychological treatment records from a licensed marriage family therapist who has been treating the Veteran since 1988. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition including PTSD, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions preexisted military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, provide notice regarding personal assault claims, and schedule the Veteran with a VA examination to assess her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Mood Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, have been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's right wrist disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between the condition and his military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains on appeal as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset in service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder has been remanded for further examination and evaluation.,Service connection for a headache disorder is granted based on current medical evidence.,Tinnitus was granted service connection, effective October 13, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prothrombin gene mutation with secondary hypercoagulability was dismissed due to the Veteran requesting withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for service connection for headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), status post deep vein thrombosis with pulmonary embolus (stroke), and seizure disorder are remanded.