Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has decided the case is not ready for final decision and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's polysubstance abuse was aggravated by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and depressive disorder are granted service connection as they are related to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder are related to service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including CAD with AFIB and cardiomyopathy, hypertension, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), erectile dysfunction, and chronic fatigue. The issues are related to the in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision and a need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA sleep apnea examination to address the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to report for VA examinations. The claims are now pending and need further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory condition and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to tinnitus, have been denied due to lack of a medical nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and analysis. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety have been reopened. The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for somatoform pain disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury was granted a 70 percent rating prior to August 9, 2017. A higher rating is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to left shoulder, back, hearing loss, tinnitus, right-hand disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD and depression) are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to provide a medical examination or obtain an opinion if it is necessary to make a decision on these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues of residuals of a head injury and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) are being reviewed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder, are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran had credible evidence of in-service stressors leading to his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling, and his other service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable. Therefore, the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD with MDD and somatic symptoms disorder, coronary artery disease, and individual unemployability have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression and alcohol substance abuse has been rated at 50 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board now grants a 70 percent rating, but no higher, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder has been denied as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder with depressive disorder, is granted from April 22, 2015. The effective date of the grant is April 22, 2015. An increased rating for tinnitus remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions.