Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service connected. The low back disorder, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, and eye disorder are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding a diagnosis of body dysmorphia and its relation to major depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being referred for extraschedular consideration prior to August 23, 2012.

The Veteran's diagnosed unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are rated at 70 percent prior to April 29, 2021. Ratings for lumbosacral IVDS with radiculopathy have been granted but the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's headaches, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and depressive disorder are all found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the left knee disability, right foot disability, right eye disability, sleep apnea, kidney disability, or skin disability began during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected nasal condition. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, and tinnitus due to new evidence showing an in-service injury. The claim is granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, dermatophytosis (brittle nails), and a skin disorder (chloracne). The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) and stroke residuals. TDIU is inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder as due to a stroke are found to meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol substance use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran was granted a temporary total evaluation for hospital treatment in excess of 21 days due to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as it is inferred from his increased rating claim and he currently has unemployability due to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, a lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran has not been diagnosed with bilateral upper extremity neuropathy or any other condition related to his service. His claims for hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, TBI, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity conditions, and knee disorders are being remanded as well.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity. The remand is necessary due to inadequate previous VA examination opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism as a result of exposure to herbicides, but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and home adaptation grant is granted due to his permanent and total disability rating from Parkinson's disease. The claim for automobile or other conveyance benefits is also granted as the service-connected disabilities result in actual loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) and a sinus disorder are now before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling prior to the temporary 100 percent rating from December 5, 2019 to January 31, 2020 based on hospitalization over 21 days.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, is etiologically related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the April 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for the residual scar, right forearm is granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent disabling for major depressive disorder with anxious distress to include TBI is denied. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.