Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for thyroid cancer and depression due to incomplete development. The thyroid cancer claim is related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, while the depression claim may be secondary to thyroid cancer.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is related to her active service, and the resulting physical disabilities are also considered secondary to this condition.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for loss of use of the left eye, optic neuropathy of the left eye, right mandible disorder, and TBI as these conditions are found to be proximately due to her major depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board has vacated its February 2022 decision, finding that the Veteran's claims for service connection were not properly considered due to missing evidence. The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder) remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of May 15, 2021. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for fibromyalgia with unexplained fatigue was denied as the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because her service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia and depressive disorder, were not deemed to prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for scheduling a DRO hearing and consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder, renal disease, and hypertension due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to his military and childhood trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a sleep condition, and a heart condition are being remanded. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and TDIU are being remanded.,,,,

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound status was denied as he did not meet the requirements of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, which would qualify him for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, atherosclerotic heart disease, sleep apnea, and residuals of plantar warts of the right foot, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 18, 2014. The Board has granted TDIU effective from February 26, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression. This includes attempting to corroborate his reported in-service stressors and engagement in combat, as well as providing adequate notice and assistance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported treatment history and need for additional evidence, including clinical records from a therapist who treated him since 1988. The claim will be further developed to determine if there is sufficient corroborating evidence of the claimed stressor.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension due to new and material evidence. The claims for tuberculosis, left ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability are denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability. The claim for migraine headaches is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent evaluation from June 1, 2012, to February 10, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not make her permanently bedridden, substantially confined to her home or premises, or unable to care for her daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, she is denied special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily PTSD and MDD, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment from May 17, 2018 to January 16, 2019. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period but the issue of whether the September 2010 rating decision denying service connection for cervical spine disability should be revised or reversed on grounds of CUE is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depression, anxiety, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.