Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient service connection determinations and rating issues. The Board finds that the claims for PTSD, depression, and left wrist disability need further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he has already been awarded a 100% schedular rating and SMC based on one service-connected disability rated 100% disabling and additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow all forms of substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, bilateral shoulder and hearing loss, and migraine headaches, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 28, 2006. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), to include as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was denied as she did not have a service-connectable psychiatric disability at the time of her October 2010 claim and has not had one since. The Board also found that any current mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are secondary to alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 7, 2012 for a separate 10 percent rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied. The claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective from March 12, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and depression, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities leave him in need of regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's dental disorder claim is denied as there was no in-service trauma or combat injury that caused her condition.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim is denied because she does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is required for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rosacea and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (including anxiety and depression). The Board found that there was no current disability for rosacea, as it had resolved. For the acquired psychiatric disabilities, the Board determined that they were less likely caused by in-service events or injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues remaining pending further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated her sleep apnea. The case is being returned for further development and an updated opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's income during the appeal period, specifically prior to March 7, 2017. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the Veteran's SSA earnings statements and request specific income information for his employment periods from April 17, 2011, forward.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, IBS, and other conditions, are rated at a combined score of 90 percent. The VA has determined that these disabilities render the Veteran unable to maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder. Service connection was denied for tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, but the Board has found that there are additional psychiatric disorders (Major Depressive Disorder and Adjustment Disorder) for which service connection may be warranted. The case is being remanded to obtain an appropriate medical opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a 50 percent disability rating effective January 23, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating is denied throughout the entire appeal period.