Depression decisions — 2022

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a mental health condition and sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for further examination. The examiner will determine if these conditions were incurred in or due to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are found to be the primary causes of his diabetic nephropathy.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is also found to be secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, and further development is needed.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of right leg radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar strain. A TDIU rating was granted from May 1, 2021. Increased ratings were granted for depressive disorder and lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and PTSD, as well as sleep apnea. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service involvement with recovering body parts from a commercial airline crash, while his depression is linked to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with depression has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for major depression from April 18, 2017 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The rating for low back strain from September 1, 2015 to February 11, 2019 and from February 11, 2019 to present was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing an addendum opinion regarding the onset of his psychiatric disorders, and considering all relevant evidence since the August 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to his service-connected TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD separate from his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current back disability or acquired psychiatric disorder that is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence of record does not support finding that either condition was caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, somatic symptom disorder and persistent depressive disorder with secondary polysubstance abuse. The evidence shows that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 10, 2016, for lumbar strain and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from June 10, 2016, for lumbar strain. The case is remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a stroke, depression, and migraines due to head injuries as they may have an impact on the Veteran's TDIU claim.

All appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or after service, and concluding that his symptoms were not related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a claim prior to December 26, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder was also denied. The Board noted that his symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent disability rating.