Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability. However, service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired mental disorder and memory problems due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 7, 2020 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and heart disorder are remanded due to insufficient development. Service connection for sarcoidosis is granted based on herbicide exposure.,Service connection for sarcoidosis is granted as the Veteran has demonstrated exposure to burn pits, which qualifies him under presumptive service connection criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and lack of clarity regarding service connection for depression and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 70% prior to August 28, 2020. The rating is denied.,The Veteran's Ischemic Heart Disease was rated at 60% prior to August 28, 2020. The rating is denied.,During the period on appeal prior to January 15, 2019, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remands and insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar II disorder, was granted. The claims for increased ratings of the right shoulder and back disabilities, as well as TDIU, are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to her period of active duty service or a service-connected disability.,For the acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 20, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, but remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if a secondary service connection is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in informed consent documentation and potential errors in treatment administration, requiring further review by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are denied an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, anxiety, and PTSD, finding that his current symptoms were not related to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (specifically depression) based on evidence showing that the disabilities are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The case is being returned to the VA for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development of records, including federal disability retirement records. The VA must obtain these records and provide a new examination to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's asthma and depressive disorder claims are being remanded for further review. Her TDIU claim is also being deferred due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no effective dates are granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of whether the character of the appellant's discharge from service constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining personnel records and a mental health examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and because of his heightened risk of illness and severe hearing loss during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The case will be returned for another medical opinion on the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.