Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and other specified disorder was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, drug abuse, left hip disability, right knee disability, and right foot pes planus were dismissed or remanded as appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is granted a 100% disability rating effective August 19, 2014. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, including as secondary to his PTSD, was denied. His claim for TDIU was granted due to the severity of his PTSD and related conditions.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent prior to July 24, 2014, and a higher rating is denied. A separate TDIU was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address certain issues in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected TBI. The case will be reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder was denied. The service connection claims for PTSD and depression, as well as TDIU, were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to his service, including his service-connected asthma.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that his current psychiatric conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's in-service stressor, and a request for a medical opinion is made to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to this stressor.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify in-service stressor, and provide an opinion on the nature of any current psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder). The issues of TDIU and SMC are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss before January 29, 2020 and a higher rating after that date is denied. The case is also remanded to determine if the Veteran should be granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by stressful events in service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder due to an in-service personal assault are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression and PTSD), and CFS due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with unspecified trauma and stress-related disorder (MDD) is denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s MDD did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment from May 19, 2018 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable prior to May 14, 2014. From May 14, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a 100% disability rating and SMC at the housebound rate, which rendered the TDIU claim moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, psoriasis, headaches, and a pituitary tumor due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service records show he had stressors related to racism and harassment during his military service.