Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is related to his service-connected right knee disability and needs further clarification from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, and hepatitis C due to inadequate medical opinions in previous addendum evaluations. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again by a VA examiner.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding effective dates and ratings for service connection, rating, SMC based on housebound criteria, and DEA eligibility due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a claimed in-service helicopter accident, which is necessary to establish service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including VA treatment records and private medical records from Penn Medicine and Pennsylvania Hospital.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current mental health condition and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including Unspecified Anxiety Disorder and Unspecified Depressive Disorder, had its onset during service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted, but the claim for heart murmur remains denied. The Board finds it necessary to recharacterize the issue of sleep apnea as a claim for insomnia due to military service. The Veteran's claims for vertigo/dizziness and sleep disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination for PTSD and non-PTSD diagnoses, as well as treatment records from private providers.

The Veteran's PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and depression are rated at 100 percent disabling since August 1, 2015. Effective May 22, 2019, the Veteran is also eligible for special monthly compensation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to an in-service sexual assault. The VA examiner will be asked to consider the Veteran's assertion of seeking an STD test approximately two months after his reported sexual assault.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for PTSD is denied because there is no evidence showing that the sexual assault he experienced while in VA care caused his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 70 percent disability rating since February 14, 2018. Effective from that date, the Veteran is also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran's anxiety and depression are secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain. The issues of service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as temporary total evaluation (100 percent) paragraph chapter 29, are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and left shoulder strain was remanded. The appeal as to the issue of an increased rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is dismissed.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD were found to be at least as likely as not caused by his in-service traumas. The right ankle pain with functional loss was less likely than not caused or aggravated by the service, while the left wrist strain was also less likely than not caused or aggravated by the service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted a 100 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the appeal. The reduction in pharyngitis rating was improper and restored.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.