Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are etiologically linked to his in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is not granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) as there is no verified stressor for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not begin during service or are otherwise related to active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting diagnoses regarding PTSD and for an addendum opinion on whether his neuropathies are related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents while in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to July 2, 2018 due to the grant of a TDIU during the entire appellate period, effective December 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and bilateral knee and foot disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, has been denied as the Veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication of the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to non-compliance with previous orders.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The claims for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and glenohumeral joint degenerative joint disease, calcific body, and postoperative dislocation of the right shoulder prior to January 17, 2017, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, are found to be related to his service due to the impact of being falsely accused of sexual assault during active duty. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus, and sleep apnea have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and depression. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate a diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood as early as September 2015 during active service.

The Veteran's asthma bronchial was granted service connection in a rating decision dated April 2022, effective August 5, 2021.,Service connection for depression with chronic pain and diabetes mellitus were denied as the evidence did not establish current disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, OCD, panic disorder and major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild with bilateral TMJ pain as it is not supported by evidence received prior to February 7, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma and unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected. However, the Veteran does not meet criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least as likely as not that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his in-service stressor involving a fire aboard the USS Gary.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to her military sexual trauma. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral wrist, right ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations.