Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as he was continually employed full-time, his earnings were above the poverty threshold, and he was not employed in a protected environment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The rating for unspecified depressive disorder remains on appeal and a new VA examination is required to assess its severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The petition to reopen service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy affecting both upper and lower extremities, and hypertension are granted. Service connection is also granted for a skin disorder (claimed as chloracne).

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and authorize private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection to sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD with a depressive disorder and/or left ear hearing loss, is remanded. The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with a depressive disorder is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and chronic sleep disorder to include insomnia due to incomplete medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular or heart disability due to issues with prior examinations not considering lay statements.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The appeals seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease, kidney condition, and tinnitus have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for hypertension as due to herbicide agent exposure has been granted. Service connection is also granted for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, is granted as related to his active duty service. His headaches are also granted as secondary to his service-connected diverticulitis with IBS and his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at October 23, 2018.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, is due to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right sciatic radiculopathy, left knee degenerative arthritis, and major depressive disorder are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete information regarding the qualifications of the VA examiners who provided the examinations. The Veteran and his representative need to be notified about this issue.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is related to his military service. However, due to an aural hearing issue, the case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder, has been granted. The condition is found to be at least as likely as not related to his obstructive sleep apnea.,A higher rating of 20 percent for left extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankles. The remaining issues of increased rating for psychiatric disability, service connection for sleep apnea, and service connection for left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee, and right knee are remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including verifying alleged in-service stressors that may support a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion on the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.