Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service stressor.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but the case is remanded as there are outstanding issues regarding the Appellant's marital status and documentation.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has therefore ordered the case to be remanded for further development. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, entitlement to a temporary total disability rating for hospitalization due to PTSD, service connection for hepatitis C, and service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are all being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee disabilities and acquired psychiatric disorders, are sufficiently severe to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and the case is remanded to allow for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board has found that it does not warrant a higher rating.,The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as it may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or secondary to hypothyroidism, which was raised by the NDAA in 2021.,The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is referred to the AOJ for adjudication. The Board notes that erectile dysfunction may also be related to this condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100% from August 11, 2017 to present. The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40%. From February 3, 2014 to August 10, 2017, the Veteran was granted a 100% rating for major depressive disorder. For both periods, the Veteran does not meet criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected OSA and PTSD are granted, with a rating of 70 percent for the former prior to August 1, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and depression due to procedural issues and additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and an earlier effective date is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder is denied. The Veteran's increased rating claim for left foot hallux valgus with post arthrodesis arthrosis of the first metatarsal cuneiform joint is granted at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. A separate initial 10 percent rating has also been assigned for a painful scar.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and insomnia. The examiner was not required to consider all diagnoses of any acquired psychiatric disability and did not provide sufficient rationale for their findings.

The Veteran's right knee disability is restored to a 20% rating, and his claim for service connection for depression is granted. The appeals for increased ratings of sleep disorder, low back disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 14, 2004 for service connection for depression is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder is denied. The current 50% rating is found to be appropriate based on the symptoms described.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 14, 2004 for service connection for depression is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for sacroiliitis of the right hip is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2012 to present.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from September 25, 2018.