Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and/or anxiety), and headaches due to insufficient information in the record regarding their relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased depression rating, PTSD service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist forces, and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service. The examiner must also provide an opinion on whether his alcohol abuse disorder is caused by his other psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to December 3, 2020 was denied as he met the schedular criteria but there is a reasonable doubt as to whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The SMC claim for need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Additional evidence has been submitted since the last supplemental statement of the case. The Board will consider this evidence during further review.,A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right hand disability, including his grip strength and range of motion.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are being remanded for a new VA examination to reconcile conflicting findings from previous examinations.,An addendum opinion is required to determine whether the Veteran's gout is caused or aggravated by his hypertension. The examiner should also address whether the left eye disorder is related to his service-connected hypertension.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left eye disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's reports of MST are found credible, and his psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression is at least as likely as not related to his MST. Service connection for a psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, Bell's palsy, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper and lower extremity neuropathies, and right upper extremity neuropathy due to secondary service connection. The issues include depression and anxiety related to military sexual assault, as well as other mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical sprain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity. The Veteran's Bell's Palsy is also being remanded for a new examination to determine the nature and extent of his residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with consideration of all available evidence.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is rated at a 70 percent evaluation, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder were incurred in or caused by his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is presumed sound on entrance, but a direct service connection may be granted if there is evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and service connection for depressive disorder due to incomplete opinions in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if she has these conditions and whether they are related to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, requiring further medical evaluation to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected urinary incontinence with chronic cystitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of current disability manifested by dizziness and insufficient evidence linking his acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep disabilities to service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD with major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and bilateral elbow conditions have been granted. The right and left medial and lateral epicondylitis claims are being reconsidered.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and adjustment disorder with depression as there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD at any time during the appeal period. The Veteran's anxiety and adjustment disorder were not found to be related to his military service.