Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened, granted, and assigned a disability rating of 10%. The claims for anxiety disorder and panic disorder were denied. The Veteran's current diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor is rated at the lowest possible level (10%) and remains unchanged.

The Board has denied service connection for depression and a prostate condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service. The hypertension claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records, Vocational Rehabilitation services, and Social Security Administration records. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder and anxiety) is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for depression, finding that his symptoms were part of his already service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for his service-connected depression and hypertension, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling mental health and hypertension examinations, and attempting to obtain SSA records.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to a service-connected disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. Additional medical comment is needed concerning whether some medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities aggravate his sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of proper notification for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran is required to cooperate in this process by attending the scheduled examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and MDD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined nature.

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's mantel cell leukemia is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) is granted as service-connected on a secondary basis to his service-connected mantel cell leukemia.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria.,Service connection for DD was granted based on the secondary theory of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if sleep apnea is related to service, including in relation to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was found not to have established a current psychiatric diagnosis, with the most persuasive evidence being the August 2020 VA examination report.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability, right knee disability as due to a left knee disability, and depressive disorder. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disorder, bilateral upper extremity nerve impingement, lumbar spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder as due to a left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since March 20, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's major depression caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and physical conditions such as back pain, knee issues, hip problems, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 8, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,An earlier effective date of August 20, 2012 has been granted for the grant of service connection for submandible residual scar.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to military sexual trauma or service.