Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), neuropathy of the right hand and left foot, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate disorder, and a right eye disorder is granted. The remaining issues are REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a mental health disorder, finding that the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various conditions, including depression, neurobehavior effects, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain. The claims are being returned due to the Veteran not receiving a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate a 50 percent rating due to disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, while his GERD is rated at 30 percent. The appeal for TDIU was withdrawn, and the left ankle disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, as he was able to maintain full-time employment in a substantially gainful occupation until August 14, 2018.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability, but has found that new evidence is needed to determine their etiology.

The appeal was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and there is no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's headaches are related to her service-connected allergic rhinitis and/or major depressive disorder, as well as any aggravation thereof.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied. The Board found that the July 30, 2010 claim was not a new and material application as there was no prior formal or informal application to reopen the previously denied claims of ankylosis of the left 5th finger and depressive disorder between February 2009 and July 30, 2010. The Board also found that a VA examination for the left 5th finger disability is needed due to the Veteran's assertions of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), major depressive disorder, and penile infection status-post circumcision have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for these conditions on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are insufficient and remands for new examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claim is reopened as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective April 22, 2011. The Board also granted a TDIU as of the same date.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder are due to an injury that occurred in service.,The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, was incurred during service and aggravated by his newly service-connected left shoulder disability. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder that is linked to his military service, and he also has a current diagnosis of migraine headaches that are linked to his military service.,The claim for a scar to the left shoulder and chest is remanded as records related to this incident have not been obtained.,The claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and migraine headaches are granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) are being reviewed again.