Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and a neck condition. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Service connection is granted for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia, primary insomnia, and PTSD and MDD.,The Veteran's joint pain condition, right knee disability, and genitourinary disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder associated with epididymitis, right testicle are now rated at 100% effective January 17, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder effective August 8, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury with depression, right knee replacement, right knee scar, left knee sprain with instability, and left knee sprain with limitation of flexion is granted effective from February 24, 1982.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder is granted a 100% disability rating from the date of service connection.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, to obtain additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent since June 7, 2002. An earlier effective date of June 7, 2002 for the TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen her claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeals for service connection of a right knee disability, left knee disability secondary to a right knee disability, depression secondary to a right knee disability, and a visual disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of use of both buttocks was denied as there is no evidence that the incident caused a permanent disability resulting from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for migraine headaches, PTSD with major depressive episodes, right hip strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that there is a need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as new VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive episodes, bilateral knees, and hips.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia (previously claimed as paranoid schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, a personality disorder and/or PTSD, due to the need for additional development of the record. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound condition when examined, accepted, and enrolled for service except as to defects, infirmities, or disabilities noted at the time of examination, acceptance, enrollment, or where clear and unmistakable evidence demonstrates that the injury or disease existed before acceptance and enrollment and was not aggravated by such service. A new etiological opinion is required.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to January 1, 2011. The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and a rating in excess of 70 percent on and after June 3, 2021, for PTSD have been denied.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's depressive disorder had its onset during service or is related to any event or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and its relationship to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw the appeal as to the issues of fracture of the 7th and 8th ribs, and right ulnar fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right foot arthritis and depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 21, 2021. The Board has remanded the case for further consideration.