Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD. The case will be reviewed with a VA examination to determine if there is a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that her current mental health issues are not related to her active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and dysfunctional bleeding, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.,VA has not provided a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner should determine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her military service, caused by her acquired psychiatric disorder, or aggravated by her service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorders. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are found to have contributed materially and substantially to his death.,The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as the Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, but it meets one of the criteria (service-connected disability) for entitlement to DIC.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, anxiety and depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The examiner is requested to provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's current condition had its onset during service or is related to his in-service symptoms and diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema, hypothyroidism, right knee lateral instability, left knee lateral instability, right shin splints, and left shin splints have been granted. The Veteran's depression has also been granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent from June 22, 2017.

The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure by the Veteran to complete and return a VA Form 21-8940, which is needed for consideration of TDIU. The AOJ will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit this form.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, but denied service connection for a low back condition and hypertension. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for Major Depressive Disorder was reopened and granted effective January 30, 2009.

The Veteran is granted service connection for left eye conjunctivitis and denied service connection for major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, neurobehavioral disorder (memory loss), right hand finger numbness, and high blood pressure.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 16, 2011 for major depressive disorder is denied. The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 8, 2012 for sleep apnea is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's somatic stress disorder and depressive disorder are related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right and left knee sprain residuals. As such, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected due to a confirmed stressor in service related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a rating of 70 percent from March 20, 2017 to October 1, 2019. The low back disability received a grant of increased rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran's Personality Disorder and Acquired Psychiatric Disorders are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection for Gastrointestinal Disorder (IBS) and Hypertension is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding that the evidence did not support a conclusion that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a first metatarsal base osteotomy of the right foot, psychiatric disability (presumed to be depression and anxiety), and back disability have been granted. The service connection for these conditions is reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, residuals of a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), and sleep apnea due to potential errors in the previous opinions.