Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has vacated its previous decisions on several service connection claims and remanded them for further review.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated employment information and a new examination to assess his employability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for a psychiatric disorder, to include insomnia and depression, was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to September 10, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective February 12, 2018. The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of November 2, 2012 is warranted for both awards.

The Veteran's claims for chronic headaches, diabetes mellitus, facial scars, left eye vision loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability were all denied as they are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's mental health disorder, TMJ, and breast cancer are all granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a long history of depression in service which is related to her current conditions.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support or suggest that any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death in any way.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted, as well as concerns about incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a headache disability (including migraines), and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to clarify whether any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, are related to his combat service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of ECT treatment is denied as the VA did not cause any additional disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and unspecified anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the case for further development regarding PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the concurrent assignment of a 100 percent rating for service-connected disabilities and SMC benefits. The SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance claim is denied as the evidence does not show that the Veteran requires regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been presented, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), GERD, OSA, and fibromyalgia are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, dysthymic disorder, mood disorder, and alcohol use disorder in remission, are found to be related to his active duty service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings on several service-connected conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.