Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has decided that a remand is needed to address the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and anxiety disorders, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C. The VA examiner must consider the online medical literature related to hepatitis C and mental health issues.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, due to insufficient evidence regarding a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 23, 2013.,Since September 23, 2013, the Veteran has been found eligible for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder and service connection for PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine, cervical spine, and psychiatric disability. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected back disability or alcohol consumption.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, eye condition, headaches, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, heart condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), insomnia, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability, back disability, left hip disability, and headaches has been dismissed. The claims for reopening of service connection for a back disability, left hip disability, and headaches have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, back disability, left hip disability, and headaches remains pending with the Board.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability evaluation for migraine headaches effective August 10, 2021, and a 70 percent disability evaluation for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified effective August 16, 2021.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for a psychiatric disorder prior to April 27, 2021, and denied a higher rating. The TDIU claim was dismissed as moot.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition had its onset in service and has been recurrent since then. The claim for a gastrointestinal disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period, leading to a TDIU. Effective January 26, 2010, he is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of current medical records and an incomplete military record. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding VA or private medical records, including those from his active service.

The Veteran's kidney disease and depressive disorder are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but has remanded these issues due to new evidence received since the last final decision.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability is granted.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for his increased rating claim and earlier effective date claims. The Board finds that a Remand is necessary to further develop the service connection claims on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his personality disorder is not a disease or injury subject to service connection and thus cannot be granted.