Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand. The effective date of the grant remains pending as it was not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is related to his military service, particularly due to in-service MST. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection. The cases of erectile dysfunction, headaches, and sleep disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea. The case is also remanded for obtaining a completed TDIU application form and for requesting an addendum opinion from the examiner who provided the September 2022 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury with light sensitivity, was granted a 100% rating effective September 8, 2020. The decision is based on the merits of the claim rather than any service connection theory.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine condition, sciatic nerve radiculopathy (both lower extremities), bilateral lumbosacral disorder, and migraines. The claims of service connection for PTSD, depression and anxiety, and sleep disorder are remanded.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in October 2020, as TDIU was not part of any pending appeal and could not be charged prior to the initial decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his in-service stressor of participating in the Detroit Riots while on active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating since April 15, 2011. The evidence shows significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder is denied, and a 20 percent disability rating for hypertension is granted. The TDIU claim has been rendered moot due to the existing 100 percent schedular rating for chronic pulmonary asbestosis with obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board finds new evidence supports a possible link between his psychiatric disorders and his military service. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, recurrent, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetic retinopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claims for cerebellar condition, hypertension, prostate condition, kidney disability, scars, back disability, cervical spine disability, GERD, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. ,Service connection was granted for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, with sleep apnea being secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's MDD was granted an effective date of April 22, 2011, as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim will be further evaluated with additional examinations and information.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to attend scheduled VA examinations for mental health conditions. The Veteran is requested to provide updated treatment records and be provided another opportunity for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate evaluations and need for further examinations. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, heart disability, hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, sleep apnea, and headaches.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of September 30, 2020, based on his inability to maintain gainful employment due to service-connected major depressive disorder.