Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depression, finding that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are at least as likely as not related to a personal assault during her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residual traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating for TBI, which reflects the maximum schedular rating possible.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for new evaluations. The claim for depression is reopened, but further evidence is needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are now rated at 70 percent effective from November 2, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot conditions have been dismissed. The claim to reopen his right ankle condition has been granted, but the issues of left ankle and right shoulder conditions remain pending.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence connecting the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including anxiety and depression, to his active service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion obtained in the January 2022 remand was insufficient for adjudication purposes and a new examination is required. The Veteran's anxiety symptoms are believed to have begun during his administrative discharge due to failing to meet weight standards after compassionate reassignment following his father's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder, dysthymia and depression (claimed as PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety) is granted. The appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened and is granted. The Board also remanded the cases of DDD of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) due to new evidence received since the final denial in 1998.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be related to his service. The Board has granted direct service connection for this condition. Bilateral plantar fasciitis and sleep disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to lack of recent VA treatment records, undelivered correspondence, and failure to report a scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's death was caused by a gunshot wound to the head, with depression and PTSD as significant contributing conditions. The Board has determined that service connection for cause of death is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disability and psychiatric disabilities, including as secondary to the service-connected back disability. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous directives and insufficient notification of a VA examination. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has increased the Veteran's rating for Major Depressive Disorder to 70 percent from August 25, 2016. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected MDD is remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inability to schedule a VA examination because of the Veteran's incarceration. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, arose during active service or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar status post left knee surgery is denied.,Service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include depression, is denied.,The claim for service connection for a trachea disorder secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for the left knee disabilities are remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 26, 2019 is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for radiculopathy of both lower extremities are remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for increased urinary frequency as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders, as well as increased ratings for pilonidal cyst and scars. The TDIU and SMC claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, and hypothyroidism were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus but denied higher ratings for other conditions.