Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right index finger scar is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding bilateral foot pain and psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records and requesting an addendum to the November 2020 medical examination.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD with depressive disorder, finding that the increase in disability was not factually ascertainable prior to June 8, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) and sleep apnea. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's stroke residuals are not service-connected, and the claim for secondary psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability and acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, as secondary to a non-service-connected back disability. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and examination for PTSD claims based on in-service personal assault, and because VA treatment records need to be updated. The Veteran will be provided with special notice requirements for cases involving personal assault, and a psychiatric examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has been productive of total occupational and social impairment during the entire period on appeal, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability. The issues of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, right shoulder disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his service. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's pre-existing mental health conditions clearly and unmistakably did not pre-exist his service or if they are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his active duty service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, skin cancer of the face, arms, and back, atrial fibrillation, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service herbicide exposure or service-connected conditions. The Veteran's depression and anxiety are denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition required his wife to assist him in managing medication and ensuring he did not leave the stove on, as well as helping with daily activities like cooking and money management. The Board found that this necessitated regular aid and attendance due to his cognitive impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and major depression, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, has been reopened. The evidence now supports a finding that she likely incurred these conditions during her service in Bahrain, leading to the grant of service connection. Other issues such as sleep apnea, right knee disability, plantar fasciitis, and TDIU have also been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder with major depression was granted an initial disability evaluation of 70 percent, effective from October 8, 2015 to December 12, 2019. From December 13, 2019 forward, the claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted. The claim for obesity was not reopened, while the claim for sleep apnea has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder caused a functional increase in his right ankle disorder and to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorders.