Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, depressive disorder, ALS, a blood problem presumed from herbicide exposure, and arthritis of multiple joints.

The Board has vacated the denial of special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound or based on the need of regular aid and attendance, as the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and depressive disorder are proximately caused by his service-connected left knee disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder were granted a 50% rating, effective July 15, 2015. The decision also noted that the Veteran's psychiatric disability was reasonably shown to have been manifested by symptoms productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted effective February 3, 2021. The Board found no evidence of a prior claim before this date and denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is not service-connected.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Kidney disability and recurrent hypertension are not service-connected.,Erectile dysfunction is not service-connected.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction has been granted based on new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and entitlement to TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the claimed conditions. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, headaches, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 100 percent for the service-connected depressive disorder, effective from April 16, 2008. The decision finds that the Veteran's symptoms have caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and major depressive disorder, as well as his TDIU claim due to insufficient consideration of evidence during the remand process.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder in stable remission due to military sexual trauma, is granted with a rating of 70 percent from December 5, 2007, to June 20, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's PTSD with major depression.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran's mental health issues are being reviewed again, with a focus on in-service alcoholism treatment and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder with substance abuse is not productive of total social and occupational impairment.,The Veteran has met the schedular criteria for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), as his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (also claimed as PTSD) has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted, effective from April 26, 2017. The Board finds that the effective date should be March 31, 2012 (the day after separation from service), but no earlier.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only. The claim for major depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The claim for hepatitis B remains at a noncompensable rating due to lack of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of urinary incontinence is granted. The appeal regarding an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate prior to November 16, 2012 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's reported in-service stressor and unit records.