Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD and physical conditions like shoulder and back scarring, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, has been denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury during service that led to the current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records, including those from before January 2015 and October 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a low back condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, alcohol use disorder, and major depression, are granted as they were incurred due to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder with PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied due to the current combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal of a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his psychiatric condition and service connection for migraine headaches have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the psychiatric condition, and there was no evidence to support the claim for migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder due to military sexual trauma experienced during her active naval service.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depression and a back disability, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,Specifically, the Board is requesting updated VA treatment records from the Vet Center during the period on appeal. They also want a new examination of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder prior to February 23, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The evidence received since the last denial supports a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the left knee disability claim is dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder with insomnia and erectile dysfunction.,Service connection for depressive disorder with insomnia and erectile dysfunction are both established.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for increased ratings, SMC prior to February 2, 2018, and earlier effective dates have been dismissed. TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder, was granted. The case is remanded for further action on the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a right ulna fracture, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for a right tibia and fibula fracture prior to September 1, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter have been dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for persistent depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 13, 2012.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. The Board denied a higher rating and also denied TDIU due to the Veteran's current employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected. The issue of severance of service connection for treatment purposes only pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1702 for personality disorder was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with insomnia is rated 50 percent prior to April 22, 2019 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further development.