Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's depression was granted service connection as it was aggravated by her service-connected hypopigmentation condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete STRs and VA treatment records, as well as the need for a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include voiding dysfunction, renal dysfunction, PTSD, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to April 26, 2017. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted prior to January 16, 2019. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, which renders the issue of eligibility for treatment for psychosis or mental illness moot.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and depression disorder have been sufficiently incapacitating as to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the reduction of the 100 percent evaluation for prostate cancer to 60 percent, as well as the issues regarding an increased evaluation for prostate cancer and a higher initial evaluation for depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's attorney withdrew it in December 2020, stating they wished to no longer contest the calculation of past-due benefits owed.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection. The claims for diverticulitis, IBS, obstructive sleep apnea, and headache disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, psychiatric disorder, and intestinal disorder due to herbicide exposure. Additional opinions are needed from VA clinicians.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability is found to have proximately caused his back disability. The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back, cervical spine, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), bilateral pes planus, and a cervical spine disorders. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for chondromalacia and arthritis of the right knee, based on limitation of extension from February 23, 2016, was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for right knee instability from February 23, 2016, was denied.,The effective date earlier than January 14, 2013, for service connection for depression with anxiety was granted.,The Veteran's TDIU rating from April 10, 2012, to January 13, 2013, was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of an April 1972 Report of Medical History indicating depression or excessive worry, and the need for further examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected major depressive disorder with psychotic features and associated alcohol abuse, effective throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected left wrist condition. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and major depression is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted, effective January 21, 2016. The original denial in June 2016 did not become final due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his fear of hostile military activity during his time aboard the USS Arlington is sufficient to establish a link between his current PTSD and his military service.