Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is found to have started during his active duty service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of his OSA.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional records and an examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent from October 12, 2011 to October 15, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and/or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 20, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder prior to January 12, 2016 was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating from January 12, 2016 for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and major depressive disorder was also denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected traumatic brain injury residuals. The Veteran contends that his current mental health disabilities are related to head injuries in service and/or aggravated by TBI residuals.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and gambling disorder, has been rated at various levels but the claims for increased ratings remain denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for further examination regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The Veteran's reported incidents during service are being verified.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective December 22, 2004. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU effective January 1, 2009 due to the service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder.

The appeal for service connection of migraines is dismissed. The appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected conditions. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and MDD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disabilities are related to his active duty service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD with related anxiety and severe recurrent major depression has been granted, but the Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if her disability has worsened since the last examination in March 2014. The VA also needs to obtain any relevant treatment records from psychologist Scott Fairchild and the Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence, particularly regarding employment history and workplace accommodations during a specific period. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are expected to be evaluated in light of his employment status.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for such benefits. The Board requires updated examinations to determine if he qualifies.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his service-connected depressive disorder and anxiety disorder was denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS is rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2013 to April 26, 2016, but the issues of a higher rating are remanded.,The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder NOS is not currently compensable and remains denied. The issues of an earlier effective date for TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's depressive disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with a new addendum opinion.