Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected depression from November 7, 2013 is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The effective date of October 4, 2017, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. An earlier effective date prior to August 31, 2006, for the grant of service connection for a trauma disorder with depressive disorder is denied. The claims are remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a higher 70 percent rating, but ratings for his ankle disabilities and other conditions are denied. The claims for service connection of low back disability, left foot disability (radiculopathy), facial scars, and facial lesions are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, should be remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and need for a comprehensive medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted service connection, with the condition likely having onset in active duty or reserve duty.,Service connection for hepatitis B remains pending as remanded. The claim will be reconsidered based on a determination of whether it was incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim due to a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and personality disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to her assertions of in-service sexual trauma and physical injuries, as well as her chronic pain related to a Chiari malformation. Additional examinations are needed to clarify the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle, low back, and bilateral hand conditions. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied. The claims for increased ratings for right knee disability prior to February 11, 2020 were also denied. However, the Veteran was granted a TDIU effective April 1, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for major depressive disorder. A new examination is needed to determine if the condition is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship to service. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms were more likely related to his vertigo than to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 3, 2012. Additionally, the Veteran's psychiatric disability alone has also precluded her from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD with anxiety and depression, coronary artery disease, and ischemic heart disease have been denied. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been granted a higher rating of 40 percent from July 9, 2006 to July 21, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD with major depression and alcohol use disorder, are granted at a 100 percent evaluation from June 11, 2016, to June 17, 2020.

The Veteran's depression rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, and the appeal for this reduction is granted.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity rating was reduced from 40 percent to 20 percent, and the appeal for this reduction is granted.,The Veteran's femoral radiculopathy of the left lower extremity rating was reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent, and the appeal for this reduction is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is granted based on evidence showing that symptoms began during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, concluding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is not related to an in-service stressor. The Board granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding a basis for establishing service connection based on evidence showing depression during service and continuing since.,The decision also noted conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD, with some examiners linking it to MST while others did not.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the February 2009 decision warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for obesity and an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to January 7, 2019, for an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decision was made.