Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during active duty service.

The Board has ordered remand due to the need for verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressor. The matter will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia and remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, depressive disorder, and alcoholism as secondary to service-connected insomnia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and personal assault, are remanded due to inadequate examination. The Veteran also raised a claim of PTSD secondary to in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition and depression have been denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's GERD and vasomotor rhinitis are service-connected.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia is remanded as the current VA examination did not address whether these conditions were related to service or undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left hand disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was not found to be related to his military service due to lack of in-service complaints or treatment.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability was also denied as there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for adjustment disorder and depressive disorder, as well as TDIU based on these conditions, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is granted as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to medication taken for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings were denied. The benign lung nodule was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to April 22, 2019 or higher than 10 percent thereafter. The TMJ disabilities did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings. The major depressive disorder claim was also denied.

The Veteran seeks restoration of a 30% rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, which was reduced from 30% to 20% in March 2016. The Board finds that the reduction was improper and restores the 30% rating as of April 1, 2016.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an effective date earlier than August 23, 2012, for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board determines that the correct effective date is August 23, 2012.,The Veteran contends he should be entitled to a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder prior to February 7, 2017. The Board finds that the current 70% rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 70 percent, but no higher, for his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) has been granted. The rating is effective as of May 24, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is etiologically related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, and thus remands these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.,Service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. His request for service connection for stomach disorder, to include hernia, remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's tinnitus is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's respiratory disability (asthma, bronchitis, bronchospastic disease) is remanded due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. The psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression NOS, depressive disorder unspecified, anxiety NOS) is also remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection.