Depression decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

Service connection for a left foot disorder, diagnosed as flat foot and tarsal coalition, is granted. The appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD, MDD, and cocaine use disorder is denied as the earliest date of entitlement arose was September 25, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the benefit was already granted in a previous decision.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for asthma and bilateral hearing loss prior to November 19, 2018 have both been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. High cholesterol and psychiatric disorders are denied. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, and tinnitus) do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective March 26, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD was granted, with a 70 percent rating effective since March 23, 2019. The decision also noted that the Veteran is unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities and related medical conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to refer the Veteran's claim for extraschedular TDIU consideration prior to December 29, 2014. The matter is now being referred back to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on the relationship between the diagnosed major depressive disorder and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on the relationship between the diagnosed major depressive disorder and service.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective January 28, 2014.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the evaluation for major depressive disorder and the reduction of pseudofolliculitis barbae. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is not a separate condition from their service-connected PTSD, and therefore does not warrant service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is related to service or an in-service personal assault. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to provide proper notice regarding MST stressors.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its January 2022 remand directives and has therefore ordered a remand to obtain an updated retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected TBI from December 2014 to current. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also inextricably intertwined with the TBI claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and a psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with some related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.