Depression decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection, rating for CTS, and SMC based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder was granted, with the Board finding that his current psychiatric disability did not clearly and unmistakably preexist service and is etiologically related to in-service symptoms and diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, has been remanded due to the presentation of new and material evidence. The case is also reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in the record regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted. For the entire appeal period, his IBS was rated at 10 percent and his low back strain with lumbar degenerative disc disease was rated as 10 percent prior to January 22, 2020, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, due to insufficient explanation of whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The case is now back for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion to determine if any psychiatric disability prior to the Veteran's death was related to his period(s) of active service, and whether it is at least as likely as not that any diagnosed psychiatric disability contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but the Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The decision found that symptoms of these conditions had onset in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, panic disorder with agoraphobia and depressive disorder NOS, finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety (depression) was granted a 70 percent rating prior to November 7, 2013. The claim for a higher disability rating in excess of 70 percent is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (claimed as collapsed left lung), cardiovascular disability (claimed as high blood pressure and increased heart rate), right knee disability, left knee disability, left chest scar, and unspecified depressive disorder.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and major depression, is granted with a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to June 25, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. Service connection for vertigo, TBI residuals, and left hip disorder are also granted. However, service connection for the left knee disorder remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of a current disability without any in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, headaches, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, and his TDIU claim is granted. The Board found that he cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 03, 2011. A TDIU was granted from May 03, 2011 to February 25, 2020 (excluding September 15, 2016 to November 30, 2018).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and need for additional examinations. The issues include eye disorders, gastrointestinal disorders (including acid reflux and GERD), and depression secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected tinnitus. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.