Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder and cocaine use disorder, finding that no claim was received prior to October 31, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding in-service stressors for PTSD and a need for additional medical examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's November 2017 Form 9 was timely filed, and as a result, the appeal of his claims for service connection for diabetes, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder is reinstated. The decision does not address any exposure basis or grant any rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of a seizure disorder. For TDIU, the Veteran is granted as his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. SMC based upon need for aid and attendance or being housebound remains pending due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the reopening of a lumbar spine disability claim and higher initial ratings for PTSD with unspecified MDD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus Type II, hypertension, and diabetic nephropathy are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his reported in-service stressors and exposure history.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his right knee patellofemoral syndrome and left knee disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, has been remanded due to new evidence received since the November 2002 rating decision.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his acquired psychiatric disability, a sinus disability, and vision loss have also been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed all appeals, including the request for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, reopening of a previously denied claim for lumbar strain, TDIU prior to December 10, 2016, and increased ratings for cervical and right ankle strains. The Veteran's authorized representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified trauma related disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, is found to be etiologically related to his active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The appeal of a service connection claim for albuminuria is dismissed. The service connection claims for insomnia, tinnitus, anemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (diabetes), bilateral knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), plantar fasciitis, acquired psychiatric disability, female sexual arousal disorder, and tinea pedis are referred back to the Regional Office for appropriate development and adjudication.

The Veteran's PTSD with a persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from September 11, 2007 to January 27, 2016. This rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% for the period prior to April 5, 2018. For the period from April 5, 2018 onward, a rating in excess of 70% is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive and anxiety disorders as secondary to traumatic brain injury, but denied service connection for somatization disorder.