Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and muscle pain in the back and legs have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea, but an initial compensable rating for chronic bronchitis remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is rated at 20% prior to July 18, 2018 and 40% since then. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating. TDIU on an extraschedular basis was granted effective July 18, 2018.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is related to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), to include as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and anemia have been granted. The increased rating claim for facial eczema with acne has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including verifying a claimed personal assault in service and obtaining an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence disorder. The current examination did not consider recent evidence and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral foot condition, insomnia, and depression due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or were related to her active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia and major depressive disorder, are found to preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to July 21, 2020. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes and upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) caused or aggravated his depressive disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The issue of a rating greater than 30 percent for migraines is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain and acquired psychiatric disorder are not rated higher than the current 10 percent levels.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a new VA examination and verification of his reported stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following gainful employment prior to October 2, 2012. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion, as forward flexion was greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees. For TDIU, the Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD. The examiner is required to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether any pre-existing psychiatric condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied a rating greater than 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for depression but remanded the claim for PTSD due to insufficient evidence.