Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, and his depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective July 30, 2014. The TDIU claim was denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular rating criteria for a TDIU prior to July 30, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's in-service stressor and incomplete nexus opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart condition, a back condition, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and unverified stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence on whether the Veteran meets the DSM-5 criteria for a PTSD diagnosis and because there is no verification of the alleged MVA stressor. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with further examination and development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety, are related to service. The Veteran is currently incarcerated and VA must attempt to arrange transportation or have a VA examiner conduct the examination at the facility.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as he is currently employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for urticaria, and remanded his claims for left lung disability (presumed due to asbestos) and PTSD with depression.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression are causally related to his period of service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, due to a lack of adequate nexus opinion regarding service connection. The Veteran's mental health condition is currently being evaluated.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, finding no credible in-service stressor and insufficient evidence linking current diagnoses to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 29, 2020. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities and service connection for a chronic headache disability, as well as for a respiratory disability. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric disorders (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and residual pain from a gunshot wound to the lower back due to insufficient evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent regarding complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied.,VA found the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating. The Board also determined that there were no deficiencies in most areas due to his mental health issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to October 25, 2017 for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), finding that no earlier effective date is warranted due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year before the July 18, 2016 intent to file a claim. The Board also found no CUE in the assignment of an October 25, 2017 effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with depressive disorder was granted on April 22, 2022. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder), right knee instability, left knee instability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle instability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with left neural foramina stenosis, right knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, left knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, appendectomy scar residuals (right arm and face), spider bites residuals (right arm and face), a right knee scar, a left knee scar, and tension headaches, have necessitated the need for regular aid and attendance of another individual. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of December 16, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder, severe, chronic with periodic major depressive episodes. The decision found that the earliest date entitlement to service connection arose was December 16, 2019.

The appeal is denied as the appellant's character of discharge from military service constitutes a bar to payment of VA benefits, other than health care under Chapter 17. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and treatment purposes service connections for lumbar spine disability, fibromyalgia, and migraines are also denied.