Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and headaches have been reopened. However, the evidence does not support these claims as his conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective September 1, 2018. The Board has now restored the 70% rating based on evidence showing that there has not been material improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating effective January 1, 2020. A TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are also granted from July 22, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have resulted in a total occupational and social impairment for the period from November 26, 2013 to May 16, 2017, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim due to issues with notification and scheduling of a VA examination, and requests additional information from the Veteran regarding his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected anxiety and depressive disorders (now claimed as PTSD) was denied. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the previous decision.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder effective February 6, 2017. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, characterized by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss, results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency. The Board denied an increased rating for the appeal period prior to December 8, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service, and whether any acquired psychiatric disorders are superimposed upon personality disorders as a result of service. The Veteran's lay statements and treatment records indicate he experienced distressing memories and symptoms during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, is being reviewed with a focus on verifying in-service stressors and determining the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a temporary total disability rating due to PTSD, hepatitis C, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Therefore, these claims must be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, muscle and joint pain (back, neck, left shoulder), fatigue, and skin symptoms are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD for VA compensation purposes and his acquired psychiatric disability did not originate in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome is dismissed.,For the period prior to October 31, 2017 and from April 1, 2019 to March 22, 2022, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with anxious distress (acquired psychiatric disorder) is denied.,For the period from October 31, 2017 to April 1, 2019, a 50 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.,For the period from March 28, 2019, an initial 20 percent rating for lumbar spine condition is granted.,A separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted from March 17, 2022.,The Veteran's appeals regarding entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition, right shoulder condition, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, chronic tonsillitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) due to outstanding records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran contends that his psychiatric disorder, back, knee, and feet disabilities have caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to April 9, 2018 and dismissed from that date onwards due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent. The SMC based on housebound status is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, effective May 10, 2006. The Veteran also received a grant for VA benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional respiratory disability.

The appeal for TDIU prior to January 23, 2017 is dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder is also dismissed as it has been fully granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is again remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA examiner must address whether there were markers during her service suggestive of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), if MST occurred, and whether it resulted in current psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, depressive disorder, or unspecified anxiety disorder.