Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of whether the character of discharge from service constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder with major depressive disorder has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. The issue of an increased evaluation for PTSD is also REMANDED.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and ratings in excess of 20 percent, 30 percent, or compensable for various conditions. The RO granted service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder warrants a remand for additional development, including an examination to assess current severity of symptoms and obtaining VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability from the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. He is now receiving a 70 percent disability rating for his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with unspecified depressive disorder.,His total disability rating based on unemployability remains pending as the case has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GAD, depression, and/or unspecified anxiety disorder. The remand includes obtaining additional medical opinions and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, right fifth and fourth MCP disabilities, back disability, and tinnitus as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions manifested during service or are related to service.

Service connection is granted for Major Depressive Disorder with alcohol and substance use. The issue of a rating for the rash is remanded.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to March 1, 2008 due to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to October 18, 2019.,Prior to August 7, 2020, the left ankle disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. From August 7, 2020, it received a 20 percent rating based on marked limited motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low blood sugar, vision disorder, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, numbness in the bilateral hands, and numbness in the bilateral legs, thighs, and feet due to outstanding evidence needed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is remanded. The Board also finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU and grants this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder, has been reopened. The case is remanded to obtain deck logs for USS Princeton and to provide a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including verification of claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the remand of issues related to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, TDIU, and SMC is necessary due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and related conditions (MDD, Anxiety) is granted based on the established stressor event in service and diagnosed PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his depression, which he claims is related to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities as they are already compensated by his service-connected radiculopathy. The issues of initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for neck disability, service connection for bilateral shoulder disability (secondary to neck disability), and service connection for bilateral knee disability have been REMANDED.