Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and MDD. The case needs further development with a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted as service connected, with the diagnosis being reopened based on new evidence. Service connection for PTSD was not established due to insufficient supporting medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric condition and ED.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding a stressor event and the need for further examination to determine if PTSD is warranted. The Veteran's service connection claim remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder but denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that it is less likely than not related to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from July 24, 2017 through September 11, 2017 was denied because he had been working to a level of substantially gainful employment during this period.

The reduction of the disability rating for unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder from 70% to 50% was improper, and the prior 70% rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition, including a lack of current disability and service treatment records not showing symptoms. The Veteran must be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's employability prior to December 13, 2012, and referring the claim to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for a prostate condition and remanded the claim of service connection for a psychiatric condition, to include as secondary to service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service-connected left knee disability, due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's depression was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for psychiatric disabilities and a rating for his lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (depressive disorder) was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability was also reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability may be aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective August 27, 2010. Prior to this date, her fibromyalgia and major depressive disorder did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board referred the issue of extraschedular entitlement to VA’s Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and persistent depressive disorder due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected ulcerative colitis and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a temporary total rating due to in-patient treatment for major depressive disorder from September 29, 2015 to November 17, 2015 is denied as the earliest possible effective date was already assigned.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition has been granted.,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is related to his experiences during active duty service, and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on her major depressive disorder with insomnia is dismissed. Her left rotator cuff injury, status post-surgery (minor) is granted a disability rating of 40%. The Veteran is granted TDIU due to service-connected MDD with insomnia and SMC based on the severity of her disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, were not manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 18, 2017.