Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is dismissed as moot because his service-connected PTSD encompasses all manifestations of the claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD; a bilateral eye condition; and hypertension due to potential issues with medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's stressors will be verified, and further examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of liver damage and migraine headaches service connection claims are dismissed.,Service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include anxiety and depression, is granted. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating from 50 percent to 70 percent for panic attacks with unspecified depressive disorder is granted. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of their service-connected pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 50 percent evaluation prior to January 30, 2020 for their psychiatric disability.,From January 30, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of their psychiatric disability has not met the criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for VR&E benefits to purchase various items under an ILP due to his service-connected disabilities and lack of feasibility in pursuing a vocational goal.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain complete service personnel and treatment records, including those from Reserve or National Guard service. The appellant's dates of active duty, annual training, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA need to be confirmed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. However, the claims for other conditions including CTS, psychiatric disorders, DMII, arthritis, kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy, eye disorder, foot disorder, skin rash, and ED were denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for PTSD, an increased initial evaluation for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and an earlier effective date for major depressive disorder with anxious distress due to the appellant's withdrawal of these issues.

The Veteran's hepatitis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's personality disorder and low sex drive claims are withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's balance issue claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is remanded as VA records need to be obtained and a medical opinion provided regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his diabetes mellitus claim.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim is withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's narcolepsy claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's insomnia claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his back and left knee disability claims.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim.,The Veteran's back disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left knee disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed major depressive disorder is less likely as not related to his service, specifically his verified stressor regarding witnessing a plane crash in Thailand. The evidence persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, alcoholism, and sleep apnea due to unresolved issues or insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine disability, depressive disorder with anxiety, and glaucoma for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability and associated depression are being remanded for further evaluation, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and whether he has any psychiatric disabilities that may be related to his service-connected conditions. His TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service connected due to a valid fear of hostile enemy or terrorist action in Panama.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition had its onset during his military service and is related to it.

The Veteran's discharge from active duty was due to a mental condition that did not qualify as a disability, but interfered with his performance of duty. Therefore, he is not eligible for the 100% benefit level under Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his vocational rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, left knee limitation of extension, right ankle arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 29, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for depressive disorder NOS with compulsive disorder is granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion and potential outstanding VA treatment records.