Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and its residuals from a traumatic brain injury have been granted an initial 70 percent disability rating since November 9, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 26, 2021. The RO also granted a TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an additional etiological opinion that is in conformity with the DSM-IV and addresses the Veteran's lay statements regarding his tours of duty. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 50 percent evaluation. The issues of service connection for Restless Leg Syndrome and bilateral hearing loss prior to December 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent on and after that date are remanded.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stress related disorder with major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating prior to August 4, 2020.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for the service-connected conditions is denied from August 4, 2020.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), anxiety disorder, and alcoholism.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and need for additional development regarding stressor claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied, as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his condition had its onset during or was otherwise directly related to military service.,The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board has remanded this issue to consider new evidence and determine if an even higher rating (100%) is warranted.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The issue of a TDIU from July 25, 2017 was granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her hysterectomy has been denied.,Her claim for service connection for urinary incontinence as secondary to her hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy due to uterine fibroids has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The issue of finding total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the granted increased rating for MDD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no competent evidence of a diagnosis or treatment during service and concluding that his current condition is less likely related to any in-service injury. The preponderance of the evidence supports this decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for MDD with anxious distress (also claimed as anxiety condition and PTSD) was granted at 40 percent prior to January 8, 2020. A higher rating of more than 40 percent is denied from that date forward.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider changes in rating criteria over time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have resulted in impairment that precludes substantial gainful employment. The Board has determined that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Veteran's disability rating for his depressive disorder was reduced from 70 to 50 percent, effective July 1, 2020. The Board has restored the Veteran's previous 70 percent rating due to actual improvement in his disability.

The Board has denied service connection for subarachnoid hemorrhage and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for further development.