Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period prior to June 29, 2016 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining the curriculum vitae of the VA examiners and providing the Veteran with his own copy of the claims file.

The Veteran's depression and bipolar disorder are granted as service-connected. The claim for PTSD, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depression or PTSD (to include bipolar disorder), right hip degenerative arthritis, and hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's ratings for insomnia disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and lumbar spine disability have been restored to their previous levels.

The Veteran's initial claim for a disability rating of 50 percent for depression has been granted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration.

The appeal of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed. The claim for hypertension was denied in June 2011 and the application to reopen it is denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and has continued since then, warranting service connection.,A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's depressive disorder.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current level of severity of any diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disability.,The etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability need to be determined through a VA examination.,The etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability needs to be determined through a VA examination.,A VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to service, with consideration given to weight gain as an intermediary factor.,An appropriate VA examination is required to assess the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow disability and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected delusional disorder with major depressive order is granted, and he is also granted a 100 percent rating for this condition. He is also granted SMC based on aid and attendance due to his psychiatric disability. The issue of TDIU is moot as the Veteran now has a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and the need for additional treatment records. The issues of service connection for anxiety and depression are being considered, with a focus on verifying the reported event.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Service connection for colon cancer was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only is denied due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria. The claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound is remanded as VA medical records from November 2015 to the present are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders may be related to his service-connected disabilities, and secondary service connection for aggravation of pre-existing conditions is raised.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his request for an effective date prior to May 27, 2014 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder due to chronic pain with anxious distress.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's MDD with anxious distress is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed all the appeals for service connection as the Veteran passed away before a final decision could be made.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and aseptic meningitis with headaches rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 9, 2015. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD, to include symptoms of TBI, is restored to a 70 percent disability rating effective April 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for all acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and MDD, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that there is at least a reasonable possibility that his PTSD is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left total knee replacement, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals regarding PTSD and major depression/bipolar disorder, which were dismissed due to the withdrawal of appeal.