Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his depression did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 20, 2020 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,His low back disorder and right shoulder bursitis with partial-thickness rotator cuff tear were also denied.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 100% since April 18, 2011. The Board also granted SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected hidradenitis suppurativa and other disabilities. TDIU was dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are being evaluated again as they were broadened in Clemons v. Shinseki (2009). His back and knee disorders are also being examined.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various conditions, including left elbow disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, memory loss associated with major depressive disorder, peripheral vestibular disability, left knee scar, and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional records, including VA treatment records, SSA disability benefits related documents, and employment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his symptoms of difficulty in establishing effective work relationships and adapting to stressful circumstances have made it impossible for him to engage in such employment.

The Board has ordered remand for additional examinations to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disorder and foot disorders, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in determining the onset of his mental health condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and major depressive disorder), and bronchial asthma. The evidence submitted was found to be new but not material.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, and AUD, pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's anxiety and depression. The examiner could not provide a nexus opinion without resorting to speculation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disability and his service. The Veteran contends that he became depressed during service after his wife told him she wanted a divorce, leading to substance abuse.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new theories of service connection and additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a right arm disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,VA will need to provide examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding the nature of the acquired psychiatric disability and the right arm disability, as well as review any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records, particularly regarding PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to recognize J.T. as a helpless child, finding that he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 due to his disabilities.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period prior to March 22, 2018 due to unemployability caused by service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, lumbar degenerative arthritis, and unspecified depressive disorder. The lumbar disability is also secondary to the right knee disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) are remanded due to inadequate examination findings and need further development.,The Veteran’s skin disabilities of the back and ears are remanded due to insufficient exposure basis documentation.,Service connection for a spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is denied. The Board grants a rating in excess of 30 percent for MDD and grants TDIU based on MDD.