Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, bilateral eye disorder, and depression have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.,Specifically, the Board determined that diabetes mellitus type II is not related to service due to lack of continuity of symptomatology within one year after discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for major depressive disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's claims are related to his service-connected right hydrocelectomy.

The Veteran's disability of residuals of TBI, PTSD with persistent depressive disorder, and mild neurocognitive disorder due to TBI has been granted an increased rating of 70 percent.

The appeal for service connection on all claimed conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all remaining issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and review of records. The issues include hepatitis, depression, anxiety, and a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for other specified trauma and stress-related disorder and depression are both granted. Service connection is established for the former, but not for the latter.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, needs further development and is therefore remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the nature and cause of any diagnosed psychiatric disability during the pendency of the claim, specifically addressing the Veteran's lay and buddy statements.

The Veteran's treatment at St. Luke Medical Center on August 10, 2017 was for a condition that required immediate medical attention due to an infected abscess in the left groin. The VA facilities were not feasible and the Veteran could not reach them promptly. Therefore, payment or reimbursement is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent since January 21, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The right arm, left arm, left ankle, and hand disorders were also denied. A remand was ordered for further development on these issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues related to his hearing loss, headaches, right ear hearing loss, PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran during a September 2021 hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right lower extremity disability manifested by numbness and pain, to include as secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for TDIU from February 7, 2009 to August 5, 2012 was also denied due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the cause of the Veteran's death and his service-connected conditions, including left frontal lobe porencephaly and conversion disorder with depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence added since the February 2017 SOC. The AOJ is instructed to review this additional evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, is also granted based on the Veteran's combat experience.