Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and orthopedic disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU on schedular basis as he meets the criteria for one disability rated 60% or more and at least one disability rated at 40% or more with sufficient additional disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been reopened. The evidence received since the March 2016 rating decision is sufficient to reopen the claim as it relates to a previously unestablished fact (PTSD). However, the claim remains denied as there is no established diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for depression and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to insufficient evidence. The AOJ is required to obtain updated VA medical records, contact the Veteran for his current contact information, and schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his in-service personal assault or any other events during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and PDD have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran witnessed a terrorist bombing at the 1980 Munich, Germany Oktoberfest during his active duty in Germany, which is considered a confirmed in-service event. Both conditions are related to this in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension have been denied. The claim for depression was reopened.,Service connection has been granted for ischemic heart disease as due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, IBS, anxiety, TDIU, and temporary total disability rating based on hospitalization due to the complexity of his medical history and recent evidence.

The Board denied service connection for alcohol dependence disorder secondary to service-connected depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's lay evidence regarding the relationship between his depression and drinking was not credible. The medical opinions provided did not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the case is remanded for additional development. The case is also remanded for a psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is related to service-connected disabilities and whether they are aggravated by those conditions. Additionally, the case is remanded for an examination of the Veteran's current employment status and severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, psychosis, and PTSD) have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depression, and alcohol dependency, as due to military sexual trauma (MST), and also denied a higher disability rating for sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal for VR&E benefits to attend law school was denied as he had already obtained a bachelor's degree and extensive administrative experience, which were sufficient for suitable employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia disorder. Additional VA clinical records are needed, and a new addendum opinion is required.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% from September 1, 2012 to July 1, 2016.,Prior to this period, the Veteran's PTSD did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), bilateral flatfoot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence indicating possible in-service exposure. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder was granted with an effective date of October 25, 2011. The decision also noted that the Veteran had previously been denied service connection for major depression with psychotic features in March 2003 and her claim to reinstate benefits related to this condition was received on October 25, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability and depression has been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if there is new and material evidence, as well as to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature of any pre-existing conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic and depressive disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.