Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD has caused and/or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea, warranting a grant of service connection for OSA.,His PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for TDIU.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, heart condition, erectile dysfunction, GERD, and bowel condition are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the initial grant of service connection for depressive disorder was denied as no earlier claims or intent to file a claim were presented.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right shoulder disability rating was also denied, as there is no evidence of an increase in severity within one year prior to the filing of the claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis was granted. However, his claims for acquired psychiatric disabilities were dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted and there remains no justiciable case or controversy with respect to this claim.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder was granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability was also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The reduction in the rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was restored to 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with AUD, finding that there is no evidence linking any of these disorders to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to issues related to right sacroiliac strain and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU effective April 23, 2013.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran was granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease with stent placement, effective from June 12, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychological disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left hip pain, right foot pain, left foot pain, and major depressive disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that these conditions are not proximately caused by or aggravated beyond their natural progression by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since February 25, 2015. The Board has determined that the current rating does not adequately reflect her reduced reliability and productivity due to her PTSD. Therefore, the case is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, not including spina bifida, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are both granted as secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The reduction of the disability evaluation for service-connected psychiatric disability from 70 percent to 50 percent disabling was not proper, and a restoration of a 70 percent rating is warranted. The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent disabling for service-connected psychiatric disability and entitlement to a TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's adult son, who is capable of self-support, has already received accrued benefits to reimburse him for the expenses he paid for his father's last sickness and burial. Therefore, the claim for additional accrued benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for major depression with PTSD is denied.,Service connection for dysphagia/difficulty swallowing, as residual of meningitis, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, depression, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include schizoaffective disorder, depressive type have been granted. The rating assigned is 30%.