Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher evaluation of 100 percent disabling due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are supported by credible evidence and his current diagnoses align with these stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is being reviewed, along with verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that his reported in-service stressors are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and depressive disorder have been established, meeting the criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his employment history and the need to obtain missing VA vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The issues on appeal are service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion and provide a detailed explanation for any opinions provided.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are denied. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 100% rating from September 25, 2015, but no earlier. The Veteran's TBI, lower back disability, and wrist conditions are remanded for further development.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the condition is already in effect.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, with a current diagnosis and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her in need of aid and attendance, housebound, and eligible for specially adapted housing. The appeal regarding a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms, which began during active duty and include unspecified depressive disorder, meet the criteria for service connection. The decision is based on evidence in relative equipoise concerning this matter.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for major depressive disorder was denied, and the claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and his TDIU prior to March 28, 2018 were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a worsening of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examination opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his current dysthymic and depressive disorders is being reviewed again with additional evidence and an updated medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The adjustment disorder claim resulted in a denial of an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent, while the back disability claim was denied with a final rating decision setting it at 20 percent disabling effective January 28, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 70 percent prior to August 26, 2016.,A higher rating is warranted for the period before August 26, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records since November 2019. The AOJ must address these new records in their first instance.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been rated at 50 percent since October 21, 2013. The Board finds that additional development is needed due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and a recent examination.