Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination, and requests that the Veteran undergo an appropriate VA examination by a contract provider.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and dysthymic disorder, was preexisting and not aggravated by service. The Veteran testified that his mental health condition worsened in service due to an assault and oral surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for these disorders.

The Board dismissed the appeal of several service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. A rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depression is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of specific information regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors. The Veteran must provide more details about his alleged stressors, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, atypical headaches with features of migraines, chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected major depression is not found to be so debilitating as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD due to MST, unspecified anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims were based on her allegations of sexual harassment during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, heart disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,There was no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and a psychiatric disability, finding no evidence to support these claims. The claim for an increased rating for IHD was also remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which grants an initial rating of 70 percent for the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder does not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to its impact on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for various psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred.

The Board denied service connection for depression and metastatic esophageal cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.,Service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders were denied as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service, and the Board finds that such disorders are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision, specifically addressing the functional impact of PTSD symptoms such as anger, irritability, verbal aggression, violent temper, and suicidal thoughts. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms have worsened due to service-connected disabilities including prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left leg muscle strain and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, a new VA examination is required to determine the severity of the Veteran’s left leg muscle strain throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the period prior to January 12, 2016. For the period since January 12, 2016, a rating of 100 percent is granted.