Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal to the November 2016 rating decision regarding service connection for depression, insomnia and TDIU was granted as he filed a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

Service connection for a low back disability, right leg sciatic pain, and left leg sciatic pain and paresthesia is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress) is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to confirm his service in Vietnam and to obtain opinions regarding the relationship between his claimed conditions and his active service.

The Board has found that the previous denial of service connection for an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD is incorrect and remands the case to obtain a proper examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss aggravates his diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, left upper extremity disorder (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), right upper extremity disorder (claimed as right carpal tunnel syndrome), and major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence or inadequate opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder was denied by the Board, as the severity of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent since June 20, 2014.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and schizoaffective disorder is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding whether his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of persistent depressive disorder is denied as there was no pending, unadjudicated claim prior to September 29, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and insomnia disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issue of whether a new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim was previously addressed.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between the current diagnosis and in-service events or conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a substance abuse disorder, congestive heart failure (CHF), and atrial fibrillation. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions had their onset during active service or are otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervicogenic headaches, depression and/or anxiety, cervical spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and sixth thoracic vertebrae associated with status post cervical fusion, likely preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the Veteran's symptoms are adequately addressed by his existing service-connected vascular dementia with depression.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his psychiatric disorder was increased to 70 percent, effective November 15, 2010.,The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his left and right wrist disabilities were both increased to 10 percent, effective November 15, 2010. The case is now REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of February 12, 2016. The denial of his claim for depression remains final.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder was pre-existing and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded. The Board found new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder NOS, and anxiety disorder NOS was granted with an effective date of May 20, 1994.