Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left cerebellar cerebrovascular accident/stroke is granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD). The appeal for major depressive disorder remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are now moot.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, PTSD, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The claim for service connection for BHL was denied due to insufficient evidence of hearing loss meeting VA disability compensation criteria.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, left index finger condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as insomnia, anxiety, and depression), IBS, and DM II.,The Veteran did not provide evidence of current disabilities at the time of the September 2020 decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a duty-to-assist error in not obtaining VA treatment records from the 1970s. The Veteran is required to provide complete copies of these records.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective March 15, 2021. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that his major depressive disorder has precluded substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for depression as secondary to prostate cancer due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Board remanded the issues of service connection for venous insufficiency and/or thrombophlebitis residuals of the bilateral lower extremities, and pulmonary embolism, both claimed as secondary to prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for schizophrenia, adjustment disorder, depression, and PTSD due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for complex sleep apnea and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's auditory acuity schedule. The Veteran's CAD remains at 60 percent disabling, with no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or limited workload resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The claim for an effective date earlier than June 26, 2014 for the increased PTSD rating is denied due to lack of factual ascertainability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for complex sleep apnea and tinnitus have been reopened due to new and material evidence. His hearing loss remains at a noncompensable rating as his pure tone thresholds do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's auditory acuity schedule. The Veteran's CAD is rated at 60 percent disabling, with no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or limited workload resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The claim for an effective date earlier than June 26, 2014 for the increased PTSD rating is denied due to lack of factual ascertainability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder resulted in alcohol abuse, which caused his liver cancer and contributed to his death. As a result, the claim for cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted. The issue of entitlement to total disability due to individual unemployability has been raised but requires additional information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 29, 2013. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU rating from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand directives. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, need further evaluation and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding treatment records. The issues of increased ratings for radiculopathy, a higher rating for major depressive disorder, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as further development of Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder, rated at 70 percent disabling since June 4, 2012, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment for the period from June 4, 2012 forward. The Board granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's in-service stressors and has not obtained a VA medical opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional opinions regarding her psychiatric disorder, asthma, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any current foot disabilities or acquired psychological disability were incurred in service.