Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, was reduced from a 70 percent rating to a 50 percent rating. The Board has restored the 70 percent rating effective June 1, 2014, based on an inadequate September 2013 examination report.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral wrist condition, lumbar spine condition, right ankle condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, PTSD and insomnia) due to incomplete service records and inadequate nexus opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and other trauma and stressor related disorders. The case is returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed and the Veteran should be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's neurobehavioral disorders, including ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to her exposure at Camp Lejeune. Her cardiac disability and skin disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to July 26, 2016. From that date onwards, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for liver fibrosis is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher than 10 percent evaluation. The TDIU claim is also denied due to the Veteran meeting the schedular criteria and having other service-connected disabilities that allow him to work.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder. The Board found that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has found that the initial VA examination and opinions are inadequate for adjudication purposes due to an unverified stressor. The Veteran's service connection claim is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if his psychiatric disabilities had their onset during active service or are otherwise etiologically related.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted as they were aggravated by in-service military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities were dismissed. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and physical disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, abdomen scarring, and depression due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination or medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder, finding that his disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues for increased ratings, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA medical records, conduct examinations, and consider the claims in light of new evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA opinions regarding his claimed anxiety and mental health symptoms related to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 100% for his psychotic disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder was granted. The issue of service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn. Service connection for tinnitus and lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and anxiety. The RO must obtain all outstanding mental health service treatment records from Tripler Medical Center and provide a VA examination to determine if any currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or caused by her service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluation for major depressive disorder, service connection for endometriosis and uterine fibroids with pelvic pain, and service connection for residual scars are all remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection based on his symptoms.