Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Lumbar Spine Disability, and Neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, tinnitus, tussive syncope, and chronic sinusitis, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 13, 2020. The Board has granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination to assess his current mental health condition.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service and instead indicated post-service stressors as the cause of the condition.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric disability (depression) are denied, while a separate rating of 10 percent is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective dates for service connection are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and other specified trauma disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his period of service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and a psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), including other specified REM behavior disorder and depression. The preponderance of the evidence does not show an in-service disease or injury, nor a nexus between any current disability and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in May 2016. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder, are related to active military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his major depressive disorder. The decision is based on a medical opinion that ED was caused by depression.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder NOS with cannabis abuse and alcohol dependency is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he has such a condition.,The Veteran's claim for a left shoulder disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a left shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and depression did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, thus denying service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an effective date earlier than May 19, 2014 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for his right ankle disability from March 18, 1995 to July 15, 2015.,DIC benefits were also granted under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death in July 2015.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep disturbances, bipolar disorder, depression, and memory loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The issues of TDIU are also being remanded as they may be impacted by the development sought.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for verification of a stressor and further examination.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeals on the claims for service connection for seizures and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's pinguecula is remanded for further examination to determine its likely cause.,The Veteran's left ankle disability, loss of sensation in the left and right hands, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depressive disorder), left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability are all remanded as they may be related to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran also has other issues that need examination including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion and extension is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation of his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder was denied. The issue of service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to the service-connected depression, has been remanded.