Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since January 23, 2003 and a TDIU for the period prior to May 25, 2010 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes is denied as there is no current diagnosis of diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with mild to moderate deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 10 percent rating from March 28, 2014 to August 5, 2014. A higher rating is not warranted prior to October 13, 2021 or thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and dysthymia, finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to his entrance into military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety/depression, due to the lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors/events. The Veteran's reported stressors were not corroborated by official military records or service department research.

The Veteran's claims for depression, OSA, and right shoulder disability were denied as there was no evidence of a disease or injury during service. The claim for left ear hearing loss disability is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss disability is established based on pre-existing condition aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date for PTSD with MDD are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service records and provide a new VA medical opinion regarding her psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is in need of such assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he has remained employed in such an occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused by his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis and blisters) has been granted. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is also granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis and blisters) has been granted. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic attacks is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he is still employed full-time and his income exceeds the poverty threshold, with accommodations provided by his employer that do not constitute a protected work environment.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically major depressive disorder with anxious stress (psychiatric disability), is rated at 50 percent and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for adjudication of the Veteran's appeal, as they failed to address evidence favorable to the Veteran and/or were based on inaccurate facts or on the lack of contemporary medical treatment records. The appeal is remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's single service-connected disability of major depressive disorder alone rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The examiner is required to provide a rationale for their conclusion and address the effects of his nonservice-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and he is not currently diagnosed with PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a 70 percent disability rating for the period from January 19, 2015 to January 28, 2017. The claim for a TDIU prior to February 28, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, left ankle condition, PTSD, and TBI were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to service.,There is no credible supporting evidence that the Veteran experienced any in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.