Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and requests for authorization forms.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically persistent depressive disorder, finding that it began during or is related to his active service. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to her military service or pre-existing conditions. The examiner will also assess whether any current psychiatric condition clearly existed prior to her active duty.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded to obtain additional medical records.,The Board is also remanding the claim for SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person and/or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is granted as service connected. The claim for PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the presence of service-connected disabilities that prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran’s persistent depressive disorder is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from September 9, 2016 to February 29, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically his PTSD and anxiety-related conditions. The examiner is asked to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is being evaluated again, and his claim for TDIU is linked to this issue.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteosarcoma, but has remanded several other claims due to lack of evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has found the March 2015 VA examination inadequate and remanded for additional opinion to address whether the Veteran's preexisting psychiatric disability was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including verifying her in-service stressor and obtaining relevant medical records. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (major depression with anxious distress), low back disability, left arm disability, and bilateral ankle disability resulting in numbness are all pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a breast surgery is granted. The claim for service connection for post-partment depression is remanded.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from July 14, 2007 to July 6, 2008. The issues of initial increased ratings for residuals of a head injury with depression and secondary insomnia, fracture and dislocation of the left elbow, and fracture of the left humerus are remanded.

The Veteran's stroke is not considered secondary to his service-connected other specified trauma related disorder with persistent depressive disorder. The Board denied the claims for SMC based on aid and attendance and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current mental health issues are related to her military sexual trauma (MST). The decision also acknowledges the possibility of PTSD but does not grant it as there is no definitive diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to inadequate VA opinions and factual inaccuracies in previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder is granted a 50 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, effective April 14, 2015. The Veteran also receives an increased disability rating of 20 percent for her right ankle disability and entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective April 14, 2015.