Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right thumb strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder prior to August 5, 2011, the Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent. After this date, he received a grant of 70 percent for his conditions since then.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and bacterial rhinitis are currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability, left ankle disability (to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities), and depression (to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities) are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a causal link between his service and his current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorders, and anxiety, is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The case is remanded for further action on his sleep apnea claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to her service. The VA examiner did not provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination. The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at a 50 percent disability rating effective April 27, 2022. Prior to this date, the condition was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's MDD symptoms prior to January 5, 2017, more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. However, total occupational and social impairment has not been demonstrated at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder from August 2, 2016 is dismissed as the issue has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted for PTSD as it is related to military sexual trauma (MST) during basic training.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disorder due to the lack of evidence showing chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is remanded as there are insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for TBI residuals and depressive disorder secondary to TBI is being remanded due to incomplete testing of memory impairment, conflicting opinions regarding the severity of TBI residuals, and a need for an updated opinion on whether the psychiatric disabilities are secondary to or aggravated by the TBI.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased disability ratings for migraine headaches and major depressive disorder were denied as there was no evidence of an increase in severity prior to the date of application.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since November 26, 2018. The rating is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is granted. Other claims of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches and depressive disorder associated with TBI have been granted an effective date of October 23, 2007. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been granted from October 23, 2007 to September 3, 2014.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for other specified depressive disorder, claimed as depression, memory loss, panic and bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board granted a 100% rating for major depressive disorder effective May 15, 2013. The appeal is denied as the appellant is not eligible to additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in April 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and other specified depressive disorder.