Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include depression and anxiety, is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are rated at 30%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if his back disability and psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or MDD due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressor. The case is now back with VA for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression. The evidence does not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the SMP claim due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining physical therapy records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status will also be reassessed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, increased ratings for left upper extremity neuropathy and GERD due to potential aggravation or secondary effects of other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for his acquired psychiatric disability prior to June 9, 2016 was denied. From June 9, 2016 through January 13, 2019, a 70 percent rating was granted. However, from January 14, 2019, the Veteran's initial rating for his acquired psychiatric disability remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The rating for lumbar strain with spondylolisthesis and right knee strain is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine compression deformity of T11-T12 with mild degenerative joint disease at that level, and also grants service connection for depressive disorder, not otherwise specified.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is denied as there was no in-service respiratory injury or disease, and the current condition is not causally related to service.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it manifested during service and has been continuously present since then. The Board finds that the Veteran's lay account of chronic tinnitus symptoms during service and continuous post-service symptoms are credible.,The Veteran's claim for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted based on his reported in-service exposure to weapons fire, which he contends caused his current condition. Service connection is also granted for major depressive disorder as the evidence does not support a link between this condition and service.,Service connection for major depressive disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and right and left hip impairments are granted service connection. The issues of service connection for right and left hip impairment are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD, MDD, and GAD was denied as there is no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to the January 18, 2016 effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent for a psychiatric disorder due to insufficient reasons and basis provided by the Board, as well as the need for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI. The left clavicle disability is granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to his acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and anxiety. The remand requires a new examination to address the etiology of these conditions and their relationship to his service-connected knee or back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD was granted a 100% disability rating effective January 30, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service, while the hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective April 24, 2017. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is dismissed as the PTSD alone meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a stroke due to VA's failure to assist in obtaining necessary medical examinations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, back pain, and foot conditions have been granted a TDIU effective April 23, 2019. The claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied.