Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU was granted. The appellant is not eligible to additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the April 2019 Board decision and May 2019 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The VA will attempt to verify the Veteran's reported stressors during her service in Germany and obtain a medical opinion on the relationship between her current mental health conditions and her service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for updated medical records. The Veteran's fibromyalgia, polyneuropathy of upper extremities, depression, radiculopathy, and sciatica are at issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a lack of a medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with this information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was denied. The appeal is also remanded for consideration of the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's TBI residuals have been shown to result in moderate impairment of memory and orientation, but no total impairment. The MDD with PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,A separate 70 percent rating for MDD with PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's effective dates for service connection have been determined, and no earlier effective dates are granted.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded as further medical opinion is needed to determine if it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder. The decision also grants service connection for this condition on a direct basis, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a link between the disorder and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, and depression due to incomplete verification of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from September 7, 2011. The right ring finger disability is rated at 10 percent since September 13, 2011. The right little finger disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for amputation with metacarpal resection. The left foot pes planus is rated at 10 percent from February 1, 2010 to May 17, 2016 and at 20 percent thereafter. The back disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective December 16, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU beginning February 15, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, headaches, depression and anxiety, bilateral foot disability, lower back condition, and bilateral ankle disability due to inadequacies in the VA examination reports.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a generalized anxiety with recurrent moderate major depressive disorder and unspecified neurocognitive disorder (claimed exacerbation of anxiety disorder) as this condition was aggravated by service, despite it pre-existing prior to entry into active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated medical records, VA examinations, and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased ratings issues.

The Veteran's radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety with a 50% rating effective October 4, 2018. The appellant is eligible to receive attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in February 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to August 30, 2021. The issues are related to the merits of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with PDD was granted a 70 percent rating, effective January 1, 2017. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder and prostate cancer, finding no new evidence to support the claims.