Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted as service-connected. The issue of secondary service connection for persistent depressive disorder due to a service-connected shoulder condition is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as major depressive disorder with anxious distress and agoraphobia, is rated at 70 percent effective from April 2019. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating effective January 6, 2016.,An earlier effective date for the TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with degenerative changes is granted a disability rating of 40 percent effective April 14, 2021. Service connection for MDD as secondary to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to adjudication of the issue on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's reports of bullying, physical abuse, and military sexual trauma (MST) during service. The examiner must determine if there are any scars on the Veteran's body and provide nexus opinions for each diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's migraines are caused by her service-connected PTSD and fibromyalgia, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to these disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD. The Veteran is presumed to have served in circumstances consistent with a fear of hostile military action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was reopened and granted effective from October 5, 2010. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence indicated that entitlement arose as of this date.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is dismissed as the benefit has already been granted in an October 2019 rating decision. The remaining claims of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, a left shoulder disability, and a psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for MDD, PTSD, alcoholism, and a disability manifested by dizziness due to outstanding VA and private medical records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran did not have a ratable disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that could be linked to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for PTSD with secondary depression, both prior to and subsequent to September 23, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD and Depression are granted as service connection due to a personal assault during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from December 9, 2019. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 has been dismissed. The issues of a higher rating for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as well as TDIU prior to January 12, 2019, are remanded.

The Veteran's depression with alcohol abuse is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability and cervicogenic headaches.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with depression is rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and related insomnia disorder, are granted as service connected due to a verified in-service stressor.