Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disability, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's chloracne and PTSD with alcohol dependence are granted as service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, is denied. Service connection for a back disability and neck disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's depression is caused or aggravated by his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence and a need for a vocational rehabilitation evaluation. The Veteran's VR&E claim is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically right shoulder supraspinatus tear and major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records, particularly those from a recent hospitalization.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of claims for effective dates earlier than January 29, 2018 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is REMANDED for further development on issues including low back disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, psychiatric disorders, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's hypertension and major depressive disorder were not granted service connection, but his MDD was granted a 70% rating. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence, requiring a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for psychiatric disorders, including Major depressive disorder and Generalized anxiety disorder, as they are not linked to disease or injury incurred in active service.,Service connection for a giant cell bone tumor of the right wrist is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including a major depressive disorder and increased rating for skin disorder due to incomplete medical development. The RO is directed to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations as per the October 2019 remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for pes planus, kidney disorder (including urinary tract infection), and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety with panic disorder, and depression) is remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The issues are related to service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

The Board has found that the VA examination report did not adequately address the Veteran's depression diagnosed during active duty in June 2002. Another remand is required to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Psychiatric Disabilities. The Board found that his symptoms warranted this rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including major depressive disorder with anxiety, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity, status post arthroscopic debridement chondromalacia patella right knee with residual degenerative joint disease, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to make reasonable efforts to obtain JSRRC records, which could potentially corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors and determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service or service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, bilateral knee disabilities, tinnitus, and hearing loss, collectively rated at 70 percent or more, render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and the need for additional treatment records.