Depression decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for asthma and depression, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. The cardiac disorder claim was also denied as there was no evidence showing it was related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has ordered additional development for the service connection claims related to high cholesterol, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI)), and a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and outstanding VA treatment records. A new examination is also required to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to her in-service stressors or personal assault.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to a lack of a VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and her service-connected disabilities, specifically allergic rhinitis. The Veteran is advised to appear for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of September 29, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities as of this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar strain disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, her major depressive disorder remains at a 50 percent rating.,Her claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with MDD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to a sexual assault during active service. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD with GAD and MDD is granted as service connected, while his facial paralysis with nerve damage to the left ear remains denied due to willful misconduct.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and bilateral knee disability due to outstanding records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left lower leg lymphedema and depression affect his ability to work. The case will be referred for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with major depression was rated at 70 percent from June 29, 2010 to April 3, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a separate and distinct psychiatric disorder, likely bipolar disorder, which is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder with insomnia, is granted as service connected. OSA and bilateral PLMS are also granted as service-connected.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal of service connection for a prostate disability and has remanded several other issues related to various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, foot, upper extremity, lower extremity neuropathies, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending again with the RO.

The Veteran's loss of balance associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic code.,Residuals of Parkinson's disease manifested as tremor and muscle rigidity in the right upper extremity are rated at 20 percent.,Residuals of Parkinson's disease manifested as tremor and bradykinesia in the left lower extremity are rated at 20 percent.,Stooped posture associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 20 percent.,Constipation associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 10 percent.,Depression associated with Parkinson's disease prior to February 13, 2018 is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and the relationship between his current acquired psychiatric disorders and service. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and tinnitus due to inconsistencies in previous examinations and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymic disorder and depression) due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand directives. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other 1151 claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with anxiety and depression and insomnia, is granted as service-connected. For the period prior to July 20, 2018, his right knee patellofemoral arthritis is rated at 10 percent.