Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder (claimed as PTSD). As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the combined rating of his disabilities not meeting the schedular requirements for a total disability rating. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder and cervical spine disability has been reopened, but the claims are still pending as they were not fully adjudicated. The Board finds that new evidence supports reopening of these claims, but further development is needed to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty in whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression. Additional steps are needed to verify the inservice injury that led to his current condition.,The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify stressors.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify the inservice injury.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was diagnosed while in service and whether any increase in severity is due to his service-connected ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to verify stressors.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities and his cervical spine disability rated at 10 percent. The increased rating claim for the neck disability was denied.

The Veteran's dysthymia/depressive disorder and cocaine dependency disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. A rating of 70 percent is assigned for these conditions, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and evidence of his employment status. The issues of a higher rating for MDD and TDIU are also being remanded.

The claim for service connection for numbness and loss of use of left hand and fingers has been reopened. The claim for OSA is denied, and the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for numbness in the left arm due to achilles tendon surgery and for major depressive disorder as secondary to numbness and loss of use of left hand and fingers are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to search for relevant records related to the Veteran's claimed stressor event.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's nightmares and flashbacks are related to his fear of deployment, which may support a diagnosis of depression.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues for service connection for myopia and depression has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's mental health conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric condition and sleep apnea disability as secondary to her acquired psychiatric condition due to inadequate VA examinations, missing treatment records, and insufficient evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's chronic sinus disorder is currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board has granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.,Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder remains remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal regarding service connection for depression, service connection for insomnia, a higher disability rating for surgical scar residual to left groin hernia, and a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, is granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise on whether the current symptoms are related to service.