Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.,The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted service connection in August 29, 2011. The Board has also remanded this issue to determine if an earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression has been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's anxiety and/or depression to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% for the period from January 16, 2020 to March 23, 2021. The right ankle fracture rating remains at 10%. Service connection for OSA and TDIU prior to March 23, 2021 are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from March 30, 2017. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating from the same date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, and depression, was not incurred in or due to his time in service.,There is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes that was incurred in or due to the Veteran's time in service. The Veteran reported difficulty hearing but did not have a diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all his claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his reported stressors and updated medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the claims for TBI residuals, acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition with bilateral lower extremity numbness, right ankle condition, right heel condition, skin condition, and respiratory condition due to new and material evidence. These issues are remanded for further development.,The Board has also reopened the claims for these conditions but has not assigned a rating or effective date as the appeal is still in process.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating of a left knee disability from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper and restored the original rating. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is found to have had its onset during active service and is therefore service-connected.,Chronic bronchitis is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any other cause.,Essential tremors of the bilateral upper extremities are not service-connected as there is no link between the disability and service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic disorder is granted service connection. The left shoulder and clavicle disability, as well as the cervical spine disability, are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete records, need for updated VA examination, and unresolved CUE claim. The appeals will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and dysthymic disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active duty and have continued since.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was denied.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted, subject to the law and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's claims for right elbow medial epicondylitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), right knee joint osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, intestinal neoplasm (claimed as colon cancer), liver abscess (claimed as liver disease), and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and anxiety disorders. The decision is based on evidence that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The issue of service connection for depression secondary to the left shoulder disability remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service or aggravated by a pre-existing condition.