Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for MDD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder, is also denied due to lack of credible evidence linking the conditions to active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as an adjustment disorder with depression, is granted service connection. The initial rating for his low back disability (degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine) is remanded.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for service connection for testalgia status post epididymitis with pain, swelling, uncomfortable urination, and erectile dysfunction; stomach pain as secondary to testalgia status post epididymitis with pain, swelling, uncomfortable urination, and erectile dysfunction; and depression to include alcoholism as secondary to testalgia status post epididymitis with pain, swelling, uncomfortable urination, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, as evidenced by exposure to constant, excessive noise during his MOS as a chaparral crewman. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service, with the same in-service stressors cited for PTSD. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder), a respiratory disorder, headaches, and muscle pain. The diagnoses are related to in-service stressors during the Gulf War.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and new evidence needs to be considered.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a minimum, initial 70 percent rating. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, poor familial relationships, nightmares, and sleep impairment. However, further medical development is needed for issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, TDIU, and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder and restoration of a 20 percent disability evaluation for thoracic strain are granted. The reduction in the rating for thoracic strain was improper, and the VA has restored the original 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty training and inactive duty training. The RO is instructed to obtain any additional medical records, verify the Veteran's ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service, and consider whether to seek addendum VA opinions or new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current diagnosis.,The claims for initial ratings and staged ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction were remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and unverified in-service stressors. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, are related to personal assault during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for GERD have been denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed conditions or their relationship to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and related psychiatric conditions is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate her claims. The case will be reviewed with a focus on whether these conditions are related to her active-duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The Board has remanded the case for further development due to worsening symptoms since the last VA examination in July 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, and depressive disorder. The application to reopen the claim for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression, muscle spasms, and a neurological condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are reopened but the underlying merits of the claims remain unresolved.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports addressing the Veteran's conditions and their relationship to his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain new opinions from examiners that address these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with multiple psychiatric disorders and provided lay statements regarding in-service stressors. However, the VA examinations were deemed inadequate due to their failure to address the Veteran's lay statements about his experiences during service and the nature of his current psychiatric conditions.