Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and Major depressive disorder, but denied the claims on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as his symptoms are attributable to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for left foot disability and right foot disability is denied as the evidence does not support their onset during service or being related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a bilateral eye condition have been denied. The appeal for TDIU has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's preexisting bipolar disorder is presumed not aggravated by service, but an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether PTSD is related to a personal assault during service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of head injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depressive disorder unspecified, polysubstance dependence in partial remission and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine due to lack of evidence supporting the presence or continuity of current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, neck condition, right shoulder condition, and carpal tunnel in the right hand, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and the Veteran's homelessness, requiring further examination and additional records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and information from the appellant, her medical providers, and SSA. The goal is to determine if the appellant was permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a sleep disorder have been dismissed. The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic Borrelia infection, chronic Lyme disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded. The appeal for TDIU prior to April 29, 2016, is also remanded.

Your claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder has been granted, but the issue is now moot as no further appeal can be filed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to need the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for migraines headaches and a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records and examination reports. The AOJ will consider these new documents in their first instance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder is dismissed.,The previously denied claim for service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis has been reopened and granted on secondary basis to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to obesity, which was caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for cerebral infarction is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for sleep impairment is denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for gastroenteritis is denied.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis is granted as related to service.,Service connection for fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for sarcoidosis and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as her claim for TDIU. The appeals are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 100 percent from March 22, 2022. The claims for increased evaluations prior to that date are being remanded due to the need for a retrospective addendum opinion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and cannabis use disorder are found to be service-connected.,An initial 10 percent disability evaluation is granted for the left inguinal hernia repair scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion. The claims for depression and left lower extremity cellulitis and venous insufficiency have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2014. From April 9, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined disability rating of 100 percent, which moots any TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, is granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression are related to her in-service personal assault. The Board finds service connection for these conditions is granted. However, the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to either her in-service personal assault or her now service-connected psychiatric disability. Therefore, a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of her sleep apnea.