Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been withdrawn.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include anxiety and depression) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a compression fracture of the thoracic spine with IVDS and arthritis was denied. Service connection was granted for an adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, but denied for other conditions including left hip, ankle, foot, and dermatitis disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for left ankle scar, left shoulder scar, and painful left shoulder scar were dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of muscle atrophy or ankylosis associated with the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for loss of left leg below the knee and remanded the claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression, secondary to loss of left leg).

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The right foot condition claim is denied. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus remains denied.,Service connection has not been established for a left knee condition or emphysema with spontaneous pneumothorax, status post apical wedge resection.

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

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, IVDS of the cervical spine with degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder are all granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evaluations and a need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his anxiety disorder and depressive disorder is denied. The claim of service connection for Meniere's disease and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with left ear hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed as the RO has already granted it in full.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, and a right ankle disability.,Service connection is remanded for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed as it had already been granted in a previous decision. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, memory disorder, and PTSD, was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and insomnia, finding that there was no medical nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder alone has resulted in an inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 13, 2018. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate effective July 14, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasoning in the previous decision and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are secondary or aggravated by his service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, chronic low back strain with invertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 11, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether his diagnosed persistent depressive disorder and intermittent explosive disorder are superimposed upon a personality disorder, or if they have any relation to military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was not incurred during active service and is not caused by an event or illness occurring in active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to the need for a new VA psychological examination, considering the Veteran's personal assault during service.