Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder (pes planus and plantar fasciitis with heel spurs) is granted as service-connected.,PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and insomnia disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Joint pain, tinea corporis prior to September 27, 2013, and a higher disability rating for tinea corporis from September 27, 2013 are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee osteoarthritis and instability, likely preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of August 30, 2018. Prior to this date, the disabilities did not prevent employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD to include major depressive episodes and polysubstance use disorder is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to October 24, 2011, and from January 1, 2012, through August 1, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to an in-service incident during active service.

An effective date prior to October 26, 2015, for the award of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is denied.,New and material evidence has been received in order to reopen a claim for service connection for a headache disorder.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and depression, was granted. Service connection is now established for this condition. Other claims related to hearing loss, tinnitus, pilonidal cyst, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The evidence did not show that his current psychiatric disability was incurred or aggravated by military service and pre-existed service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of HIV/AIDS as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran’s HIV/AIDS is proximately due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

For the period prior to March 13, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder and MDD did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.,Prior to January 1, 2020, the Veteran was able to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as new examinations.

A 70 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is granted from July 18, 2016. The Veteran's sleep disorder claim was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on several conditions was dismissed. The right arm furuncle received a 10% rating, and the obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50%. The Veteran’s TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for hypertension and heart disease are denied. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (to include depression and anxiety) is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded both the increased rating for PTSD and the TDIU claim due to insufficient information regarding the date of onset of the Veteran's increase in disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum from the November 2019 examiner addressing this issue, as well as adjudicate the TDIU and housebound rate claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent since February 15, 2008, and will remain at that level until July 10, 2011. After that date, the rating is increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD secondary to MST and Major Depressive Disorder as secondary to PTSD are granted. The claim for service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues. The right arm disability claim is being remanded for another examination, while the psychiatric disorder claim is being remanded as it is dependent on the outcome of the right arm disability claim.