Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including left ear hearing loss disability, prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DDD)/degenerative disc disease (DDD), and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for mild neurocognitive disorder as secondary to service-connected left ventricular hypertrophy and cerebral aneurysm, but the issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depression, not otherwise specified, finding that his symptoms did not more closely approximate the level of impairment required for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and rhinitis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and requires further development for the cases of bilateral foot disability, right big toe disability, and psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder were granted an initial 70 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for substance abuse as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.