Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), and skin disability are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his major depressive disorder is remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination as he was incarcerated. The Board will provide documentation of its efforts and attempt to conduct the necessary examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The Board finds that a remand is required to obtain a secondary aggravation opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the current psychiatric disorder is not related to service, while the low back disability requires further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for non-service-connected pension benefits has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal with respect to this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disability (depression and PTSD), migraine headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar strain, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, lateral instability, post-operative patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and surgical scars of the left knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression not otherwise specified was granted. The claims for service connection for congestive heart failure with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were denied, while the liver disability (to include hepatitis C) claim is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to January 5, 2018 and denied for a higher rating. For the period beginning on January 5, 2018, he is granted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include depression and anxiety, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for PTSD, left foot condition, right foot disability, low back disorder, right big toe disability, right leg disability, left upper jaw numbness and tingling status post oral surgery, left upper jaw infection status post oral surgery, shrapnel wound to the right eye, and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 50 percent rating prior to June 4, 2020. A higher rating of over 70 percent for the condition since that date is denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD with depressive disorder, effective February 1, 2021, as the reduction was not proper due to lack of material improvement in his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an examination to determine if the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements and diagnoses, requiring further examination and verification of his claimed stressors.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient analysis regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected MDD with GAD. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder and remanded the issue of reopening service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include Depression NOS. The case is now being sent back for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, skin rash, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, specifically a lack of discussion in the VA examination report regarding an August 2001 letter from S.P. and whether hormonal imbalances related to the Veteran's hysterectomy could be aggravating her psychiatric conditions.