Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and GERD have been found to aggravate her obstructive sleep apnea, warranting a grant of service connection for OSA as secondary.,A rating of 70 percent is granted for the Veteran's depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's current PTSD and MDD are found to have been caused by his active service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disabilities are not related to his military service due to a prior determination of willful misconduct in relation to his TBI.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of head injury, to include headaches (claimed as TBI), are granted service connection. A new VA examination is needed for the claim of residuals of head injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability related to her active service and resolves reasonable doubt in her favor.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a sleep disorder are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the need to corroborate in-service stressors and obtain Social Security Administration records. A VA examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed.,An effective date prior to February 9, 2018, for service connection of depressive disorder is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 9, 2018, is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression with insomnia, is granted service connection. Sleep apnea, back disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, and right shoulder disorder are denied.

The Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder in remission, is etiologically related to military sexual trauma that occurred during service. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder from 70% to 50%, effective July 1, 2020 was improper and restored the original 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for PTSD was denied. Prior to April 24, 2020, the rating remained at 50 percent. From April 24, 2020, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective April 7, 2015. The attorney fees are eligible based on the past-due benefits awarded in the March 2021 rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety and depression), TBI, and headaches. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.,There is no medical evidence showing any in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, scars status post heart surgery, lung pleural effusion, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression with sleep problems and PTSD) are granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The earliest possible effective date assigned by VA is March 18, 2014, which is the date of receipt of her petition to reopen her service connection claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and depression/major depression due to a lack of evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressor and no causal relationship between current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is granted service connection. The Veteran does not have PTSD and his major depressive disorder is unrelated to any aspect of active duty service.

The Board is remanding the case due to a duty to assist error regarding missing medical records, specifically group therapy sessions from the VA.