Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a skin disorder, as well as his claim for TDIU due to VA failing to fulfill its duty to assist in obtaining private treatment records. The case will be remanded for additional development including obtaining private dermatology records of Dr. J., arranging for a VA mental health examination, and readingjudging the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired mental disorder and DM2 as due to HTN, as well as the SMC based on aid and attendance and housebound issues. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's depressive disorder and DM2 are related to his HTN.

The Veteran's effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with MDD is granted as of May 19, 2015. The low back disorder issue has been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, kidney disorder, and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy, finding no evidence of a link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and the potential relevance of SSA records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being evaluated to determine if it was incurred in or caused by active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, finding that her current condition is related to her military service.

The Board has ordered remand for a new opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, as previous opinions did not consider his lay reports and service treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding whether his major depressive disorder caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that her symptoms do not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not warranted. The Veteran's appeal regarding the establishment of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and other specified and stressor-related disorder (formerly diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder, NOS) is remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and the initial rating of 10% for depressive disorder was also denied. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is now rated at 50%, effective May 12, 2017. Service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, left upper and lower extremity radiculopathies, and left ankle conditions were all denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cognitive impairment disorder was denied as no new and material evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as no new and material evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied as no new and material evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as no new and material evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis was denied as no new and material evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia was denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, bathe himself, feed himself without assistance, and requires regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on housebound status or need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and left lower extremity radiculopathy are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings of 70 percent for PTSD and 20 percent for radiculopathy, respectively.

The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder, are granted as service connected. The back disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing service treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.