Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for Hepatitis C, major depressive disorder and anxiety, and an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied. The appeal for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and the determination of TDIU are also denied.

The March 2022 Summary of the Case is voided as it inaccurately stated that the Veteran's net entitlement was $0.00 due to an offset, while the December 2021 Summary correctly identified the amount of past-due benefits awarded without reference to retired military pay.

The Board has found that the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder was not for all possible diagnoses, and thus the issue of service connection for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, malaria, and lumbar spine disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on April 22, 2022. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date because the claim was not timely filed within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with depressive disorder was denied in a February 2002 rating decision, and he did not appeal this denial. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at the date VA received his intent to file a claim on April 22, 2022.

The appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD with MDD was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the claims of service connection and evaluation for various conditions, including chronic right knee strain, acute cholecystitis, psoriatic arthritis, left knee disability (secondary to service-connected right knee disability), acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. These matters are being remanded.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities, as well as neuropathy have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for persistent depressive disorder, other specified stressor disorder, and alcohol use disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for MDD, the propriety of reducing the disability rating for varicose veins, and seeking an earlier effective date for sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected right-hand disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The mental health claim is related to a possible PTSD diagnosis, while the gastrointestinal disorder claim requires further examination of potential connections to service. The left wrist scars claim also needs an examination.

The Veteran is not eligible for a TDIU on a schedular basis prior to May 18, 2021. However, the Board finds that he may be entitled to an extraschedular TDIU due to service-connected disabilities and refers the matter to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The VA needs to provide new opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and its relation to his military service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, but a VA opinion is needed to determine if he meets the criteria for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service personnel records and the need for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with panic disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and headaches, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 7, 2017. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical evidence and insufficient information to determine if the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the available records.