Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities other than major depressive disorder have not caused significant occupational impact which would warrant TDIU prior to September 16, 2019. From September 16, 2019, the grant of a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder and assignment of SMC renders the issue of entitlement to TDIU moot.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, as it may be an issue of unemployability rather than disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, PTSD with major depressive disorder, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression with anxiety, alcohol use disorder, insomnia, and somatic symptom disorder is remanded due to the need for further examination. The examiner should determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted in part, with a new rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder from September 5, 2017. The claim for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. Service connection for Crohn's disease is reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as his claim for obstructive sleep apnea. The issues are being remanded due to incomplete development of records and failure to obtain a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression due to MST is granted. The claims for right knee, hypertension, ulcers, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and related conditions is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction, which remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for bowel incontinence, bladder disorder, kidney disorder, pancreas disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder have been dismissed.,Her appeal regarding the reopening of her major depression claim has also been dismissed. However, an effective date of May 17, 2015, but no earlier, for a 100 percent rating for major depression is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and whether it is related to an in-service stressor, including alleged sexual assault during active-duty service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and related conditions, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim was remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at the highest possible level (100%), and his GERD is denied. The lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if her claims are supported by credible evidence of a personal assault in service. The Veteran also needs additional military records.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to January 11, 2019. The rating for PTSD from specific dates after that period is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety due to lack of a current diagnosis of PTSD and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's lay assertions and service history support his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and service personnel records that need to be obtained. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and persistent depressive disorder with intermittent major depressive episodes and anxious distress, is being reviewed.