Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and reopened the claim for a sleep disability to include sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the entire period on appeal. The Veteran also receives entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and MDD due to inadequate VA opinions. Further development is required to comply with the May 2021 remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right knee, left knee, and low back made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 30, 2012. A TDIU was granted effective February 7, 2018.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder has been granted, with the highest possible rating of 70 percent effective October 7, 2020.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn by their attorney, effectively dismissing the cases.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying an in-service stressor related to a power plant blast and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and whether any PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression, as it did not manifest in service and was not related to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for additional disabilities related to chemotherapy treatment were denied as there was no evidence of causation by VA care, and the conditions are considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's initial rating for depression with anxiety is being remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous assessment and consideration of worsening symptoms.

The Board vacated the November 18, 2021 decision denying service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The appeal is now considered reopened and will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is due to an in-service injury (vehicle accident) and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and the need for a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include psychiatric disorders, bilateral knee conditions, prostate cancer, and vision disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 14, 2019 and a higher rating thereafter is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disk syndrome prior to February 10, 2013 and a higher rating thereafter is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disk syndrome prior to July 25, 2008 is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability has been reopened based on new and material evidence.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is granted.,TDIU from February 14, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's miscarriage during service was granted as service-connected, and she is also entitled to increased ratings for her right knee and back disabilities.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, bilateral ankles, and arthritis of his entire body. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board found the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was not supported by evidence of an in-service stressor, but remanded to obtain additional medical records and consider new evidence from a private psychologist.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and persistent depressive disorder, as well as increased ratings for right knee disabilities, need additional evaluations.