Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosed as major depressive disorder have been granted. The criteria are met for entitlement to service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Korea during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete research on a claimed stressor and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, and their combined effect on his employability. The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since February 1, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder has rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to July 22, 2020 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms. For the period from September 5, 2013 to July 21, 2020, the Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he has been employed throughout the period on appeal and there is no persuasive evidence that his service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Board has decided that the earlier effective dates for service connection of various disabilities are remanded due to incomplete documentation regarding scheduling of VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of favorable ankylosis or forward flexion less than 15 degrees, and thus, no increased rating was granted. Service connection for sleep disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders (including major depressive disorder) are remanded due to lack of current diagnoses. Service connection for low back pain is also remanded. The Veteran's alcohol use disorder claim is remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, excluding PTSD, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and instructed the AOJ to obtain specific treatment notes from McHenry CBOC. The effective date for the increased rating remains pending.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is due to his active military service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection on a direct basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, a back disability, and a neck disability. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

An effective date of September 12, 2008 is granted for service connection of Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety.,The Veteran's claim for Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy was granted in June 2016 with a rating of 10% effective January 24, 2012.

The Veteran's TBI and associated conditions, including depressive disorder, psychotic disorder, and cognitive disorder, are rated at 100% for the period prior to February 28, 2020. A separate rating of 50% is granted for migraines associated with TBI.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The decision is based on a finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence with respect to whether the depression is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxious distress, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.