Depression decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims due to his death.

The Veteran's claims of a rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder and TDIU are remanded due to the need for clarification on her psychiatric diagnoses, SSA records, employment history, and VA treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for hypermetropia and major depressive disorder, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions provided in a previous decision. The VA is required to obtain an opinion from a neuropsychiatrist or neurologist and psychiatrist regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed neurological and psychiatric issues.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 or a causal link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as anxiety with depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD and its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of clarity regarding the Veteran's employment status and education history. Additionally, a retrospective medical opinion is needed to assess the impact of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder on his ability to work prior to April 12, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the right knee rating claim. The PTSD and left knee disorder claims are granted, but the right shoulder injury claim is denied. The Board has reopened the service connection claims for PTSD and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are rated at 70 percent. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent prior to December 4, 2018 and the rating for this condition is denied thereafter. A compensable rating of IBS with GERD was granted prior to August 1, 2019. Bilateral hearing loss is also service-connected but not rated as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to June 12, 2013 due to insufficient ratings for his service-connected disabilities. From June 12, 2013 onward, the Veteran has a combined rating of 100% for COPD and an additional disability rated at 60%, making him eligible for SMC but not TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), right hand disorders, left hand disorders, left foot disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, and right leg disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claim for dizzy spells is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, and for special monthly compensation (SMC) for the loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. The appeals are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a traumatic brain injury due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The appeal seeking a waiver of the overpayment debt due to failure to withhold attorney fees is dismissed as there was no case or controversy regarding this issue.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all remaining issues associated with the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which is now diagnosed as ADHD with secondary diagnoses of cocaine use disorder and depressive disorder. The claim was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for depression and anxiety disorders, PTSD with depression and anxiety, low back disorder, neck/cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The decision on these issues is based on their merits.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim. The VA will schedule an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected depressive disorder and consider whether he meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as moot because these benefits are already in effect.