Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other related conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a right knee disability. The right knee disability remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further examination regarding service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at a 70 percent rating prior to June 29, 2011 and a 100 percent rating beginning June 29, 2011. Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is also granted as secondary to MDD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified reaction to severe stress and depression, is granted as service connected. The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied due to lack of verified in-service stressor. Service connection for a right knee disorder is denied because the preexisting condition did not worsen during service. Service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders are also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to December 10, 2018. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was remanded due to the Board's failure to provide an adequate explanation for its ruling. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion concerning the effects of the Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar warts and schedule the Veteran for a VA feet/skin conditions examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. The other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a nervous disorder diagnosed as major vascular neurocognitive disorder, secondary to his service-connected sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The issues of service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and MDD) is granted service connection. Service connection for deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, cellulitis, and obstructive sleep apnea are all denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions not precluding gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending and will be reviewed with a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, is related to his active service. The claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is remanded as VA has not provided a VA examination addressing whether the current neck disability is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral lower hernia, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, skeletal arthritis, sinus disorder, COPD, headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, bilateral eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, or asbestosis. The Board has also found that the Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are remanded due to outstanding in-service medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the July 2019 denial is relevant to the claims of service connection for psychiatric disability, back disability, headache disability, tinnitus, and residuals of TBI. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to have begun during active service.

The Veteran's initial rating for Persistent Depressive Disorder was granted at a 70 percent level, effective July 22, 2008. A TDIU was also granted. The issues of service connection for Right Leg Disability and Migraine Headaches were remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with major depressive-like episode is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to another medical condition is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. Additionally, the Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's attorney waived his right to attorney fees for the April 2020 rating decision that granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome, major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.