Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened, but the Board found no evidence to support a finding that his acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep disorder, or chronic headaches are related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since March 5, 2018.

The appeals for service connection and rating for sleep apnea, PTSD, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's death is being considered, along with issues related to hypertension and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are currently rated, but the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable, and the Board has determined that remand is necessary to ensure a VA examination is conducted. The claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of the Veteran's claimed stressors and an incomplete VA examination. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left carpal tunnel syndrome, left cubital tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's major depression with anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous directives, specifically failing to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The case will be returned for further development and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and depression remain denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure or a direct link to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case will be remanded for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and the Veteran's failure to attend a VA examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorders, and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was denied, but the Board granted an effective date of January 29, 2015 for the assignment of a 70 percent disability rating.,The Veteran also sought a higher disability rating for MDD and this appeal resulted in a grant of a 70 percent disability rating.