Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from June 6, 2016. He also received a TDIU effective June 6, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder have aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, right hip disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability from September 27, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection for lead poisoning residuals and acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by him.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are granted as they are related to his service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for unspecified depressive disorder was remanded by the Board. The Court found that his existing 70% rating already encompasses all of his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, effective June 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with depression, finding that the Veteran's condition began during her active duty service and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder on or after February 10, 2020 is dismissed as his claim has been granted with a 100% evaluation.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU on or after February 10, 2020 is also dismissed because he now has a 100% evaluation for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to incomplete medical records and need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as depressive disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and there was no evidence that the depressive disorder was incurred in service or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement (NOD) was timely filed regarding the March 2011 rating decision, allowing for the reinstatement of his appeal on service connection and initial compensable rating issues.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to a disability rating greater than 20 percent prior to April 9, 2019, and greater than 40 percent thereafter, for a lumbosacral spine disability. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (to include anxiety and depression) and for a cardiac disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his headache disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case will be returned for further proceedings.