Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder was denied, and the claim for TDIU prior to March 27, 2013, was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, secondary to service-connected spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any of the previously diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to the service-connected spinal stenosis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI prior to February 15, 2021, and in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, MDD, and TBI thereafter is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied.

The appeals for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder and for an effective date earlier than June 2, 2017, for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder are dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with anxiety, depression, and insomnia, is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for hypertension and bilateral foot disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to an improper docketing in the AMA system and a need for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The examiner is asked to address the Veteran's contention that his psychiatric symptoms began during service and consider his claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is remanded due to the need for a clarification on whether his depressive disorder was superimposed upon his personality disorder during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, concluding that his current depression disability is not related to service and more likely due to situational stressors and declining physical health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral Achilles' tendonitis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. An effective date of October 13, 2011, is granted for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's initial rating for Persistent Depressive Disorder was denied prior to March 30, 1989. From March 30, 1989, to May 31, 2012, a higher rating of 30% was granted. As of May 31, 2012, the Veteran's Persistent Depressive Disorder is rated at 70%. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for OSA and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 100 percent disabling, effective March 24, 2017. SMC at the housebound rate was granted from May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also sought TDIU but was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for major depressive disorder and headaches, finding that these conditions are not related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's major depressive disorder was first diagnosed years after service, and his headaches were initially reported many years post-service.

The Veteran's request for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.