Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected psychiatric disability is established, granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection for depression and anxiety has been granted, with a 10% rating assigned for asbestosis prior to October 19, 2017.

Service connection granted for major depressive disorder with anxiety and folliculitis of the scalp due to presumed Agent Orange exposure.,Respiratory disorder service connection issue is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and/or mood disorder due to a lack of evidence linking her current diagnoses to her military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety now claimed as chronic schizophrenia/depression, asthma now claimed as chronic pulmonary syndrome, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the VA's duty to assist and an inadequate statement of reasons and bases. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS was granted a 70% rating from December 23, 2009 to May 9, 2010. The claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The right shoulder trauma claim is granted, while other psychiatric, back, knee, and neck disorders remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether service-connected depression contributed to the Veteran's death, specifically noting that schizoaffective disorder was a significant condition contributing to his death. The VA is directed to obtain private psychiatric treatment records from 1962 to 1986 and provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the possibility that his service-connected disabilities, especially depression, may have caused or affected his unemployment. The increased rating for depression disorder with anxiety (now claimed to include a dental condition) associated with right-knee degenerative joint disease and other conditions is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection due to the need for additional STRs and a psychiatric examination. The issues include service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, other psychotic disorders, affective disorder, and personality disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and TBI are found to have originated during active service due to military sexual trauma. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's neurobehavioral disorder is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician addressing this theory of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for migraines, as they are claimed to be secondary to service-connected sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and/or generalized anxiety disorder and persistent depressive disorder. The Veteran's representative provided additional medical literature which must be considered by the examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is granted a 70% disability rating, and service connection for individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 6, 2016 is granted. The compensable rating for malaria is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 28, 2017 for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depression, and PTSD due to MST is being remanded as the VA examiner did not consider all of her treatment records in determining that her conditions are less likely caused by service.