Depression decisions — 2022

Your appeal for service connection has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has been granted. The right hip disorder, bilateral eye disorder, gynecological disorder (claimed as hysterectomy and loss of sex drive), and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) claims are all pending and need further review.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied. The appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims were remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations and potential loss of use of limbs.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records related to her disability benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hip and lumbar spine conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 28, 2015. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent since October 28, 2020. Prior to this date, he was granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor event, and for further development related to his TDIU claim.

The Board has denied service connection for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to inadequate medical opinions based on inaccurate factual premises. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 20 percent for his right foot condition is dismissed. The request to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is granted, and the issues of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (acquired psychiatric disability), and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, respiratory disability (chronic sore throat and sinusitis), right knee disability, left knee disability, PTSD, and depression due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The issues include a spine disability, bilateral leg numbness as secondary to a spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder, had its onset in service. The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his in-service experiences aboard the USS Simon Lake.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between his current major depressive disorder and his active duty military service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted since the last final denial, which reopened the claim. However, the claim remains remanded as further medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is dismissed as the combined award of service connection at 70 percent or higher provides a greater benefit.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a salivary gland disorder due to his withdrawal of the appeal.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.