Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and sleep apnea have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain at their current levels, with no higher ratings available.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available. The Board found that her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorders, is attributable to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD due to a lack of inclusion in the June 2020 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's claim for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he does not meet the criteria for a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent, and his other disabilities do not allow him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or GAD, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of depression, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and prostate cancer. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from January 15, 2014 to July 11, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

For the entire period on appeal, an increased evaluation of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and unspecified substance-related disorder) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is denied. The current rating of 70 percent is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and remanded the issues of bilateral ankle vein insufficiency disorder, bilateral calf vein insufficiency disorder, and a back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate prior examinations and a need for a new examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy. The acquired psychiatric disorder is presumed to be related to the Veteran's in-service experiences and his other service-connected disabilities. Right and left upper extremity neuropathies are found to be secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection of various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent disabling, effective from December 10, 2020. The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded for a more thorough examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with mild major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected psychiatric disability.