Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, depressive disorder rating, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current condition and his active-duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues related to peripheral neuropathy, right rotator cuff tendonitis, and a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim from March 10, 2011 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder and mood disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to his active duty service. The decision is based on credible evidence of continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and sleep impairment disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (diagnosed as Persistent Depressive Disorder, Tobacco Use Disorder, and Other Substance-Related Disorder) have been granted. The Board found that the in-service stressor event occurred and is related to the current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds the Veteran entitled to a 50 percent rating, and no higher, from May 30, 2014. Service connection claims for low back, cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral shoulder conditions are remanded due to lack of VA examination. A new hearing loss and sinus condition claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective throughout the appeal period. He also received a TDIU prior to January 15, 2003.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability from October 31, 2013, through April 8, 2016. After that date, the evidence did not support his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from January 2011. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to January 24, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and stressor verification.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms became manifest during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to August 12, 2021, were both denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disabilities, including an adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, stress reaction disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a stomach disorder (to include gastritis).

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board has remanded his claims for service connection for other disabilities due to lack of evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VistA Imaging records and a VA knee examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted a 50% disability rating prior to November 20, 2018. From April 1, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied. The appeal also included a remanded issue regarding total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, adjustment disorder, mood disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, and alcohol abuse. The case is being sent back for further development to address whether any acquired psychiatric disorders are superimposed on personality disorders during service, and if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the disabilities existed prior to service.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor based on his reported in-service experiences.