Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for a psychiatric disorder, characterized as anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, and a chronic skin condition, characterized as seasonal dermatitis, are granted. The claim for heart disorder to include ischemic heart disease is remanded due to lack of VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression. The examiner will assess whether these conditions are related to service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to August 6, 2019. From March 24, 2016, the Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The issue of reopening the claim of service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from January 14, 2016 to June 13, 2018. A higher rating for PTSD beyond this period and entitlement to SMC are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding that his current condition was caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection for depression and insomnia is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of whether service connection should be established due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for PTSD was denied because the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has PTSD related to service.,Asperger's Syndrome was denied due to lack of evidence supporting its presence during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence linking such condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for a pain disorder was also denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, a personality disorder, and a depressive disorder. The underlying claim of entitlement to service connection remains remanded due to additional evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder including unspecified major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, is now pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 2, 2015 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for depression associated with recurrent lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the failure to address a timely Notice of Disagreement filed by the Veteran following an April 2009 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified alcohol-related disorder. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 16, 2014, for the 50 percent increased rating grant for depressive disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for shortness of breath was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with PTSD, left shoulder injury, and left humerus disability are all rated at the maximum allowable levels. The Board has found that there is a need for further examination to assess the current severity of these conditions due to their worsening since last examined.