Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to the need for a medical opinion applying DSM-V criteria and addressing the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that he does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's headaches started during service and continued until his death. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's headaches had their onset in service, and grants service connection for headaches.,Regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder), the Board notes there are several diagnoses present. Adequate opinions have not been obtained that separately address each theory of entitlement and psychiatric disorder that the Veteran was diagnosed with during the period on appeal.

The appeal for service connection of a heart disorder is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and unclear diagnoses. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to clarify his conditions and determine their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, depression, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals were based on the Veteran's contention that these conditions developed due to his in-service physical demands.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, was caused or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C at any time after service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted as due to military sexual trauma. The issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including other reaction in severe stress, unspecified depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder NOS, are found to be related to his service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient competent medical evidence and incomplete evidentiary record. The Veteran is required to undergo an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression. Verification efforts are also needed to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors during service.

The Veteran's appeal of the grant of service connection for depression with a rating of 70% is granted. Agent fees are also awarded based on past-due benefits.

The Veteran's anatomical loss of left eye is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, with the proximate cause being VA's error in judgment regarding treatment timing.,The Veteran's depression and anxiety are also granted as secondary to his service-connected anatomical loss of left eye.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression. The effective date is June 4, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The hearing loss rating is remanded due to a lack of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating was increased to 70 percent effective February 24, 2020.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective February 24, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied, and the case is remanded.,Service connection claims for generalized anxiety disorder and persistent depressive disorder dysthymia are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 7, 2019 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD and MDD. The decision is based on finding clear and unmistakable error in the January 2021 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of a reported stressor. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder will be reconsidered after verifying the stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which is a risk factor for sleep apnea. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on this matter.