Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted at an 80% rating, effective January 15, 2021. The Veteran's major depressive disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder NOS, and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and additional VA treatment records. The claims will be considered again after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder were initially granted, but the initial rating of 50% was denied prior to June 7, 2016. From June 7, 2016, a 70% rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary to ensure a complete record for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA Vet Center records and updating his VA treatment records. The issues of rating PTSD with depressive disorder and opioid use disorder in early, full remission, rating TBI residuals, rating asthma, and entitlement to TDIU are all being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The Board did not address the merits of any claims as it had no jurisdiction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a mental health disorder, including PTSD and GAD. Additionally, the Board has also remanded his claims for higher ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right hip, and osteoarthritis of the left hip.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, which includes components of depression and anxiety, is granted. The Board affords the benefit of doubt to the Veteran's claims and finds that his current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is dismissed as the Veteran opted into a review under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) and his request was timely.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his fear of hostile military activity during his service in Korea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for major depressive disorder because the new evidence submitted did not establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected migraines are at least as likely as not to cause or permanently worsen her diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression/mental disorder. However, the issues regarding service connection and TDIU remain remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's VA treatment records and private treatment records are to be obtained, and the claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is granted as service connected, with no specific date assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is related to an in-service back injury.

Service connection for gout is withdrawn and dismissed. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and anxiety. The appeals for increased ratings for service-connected low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (anterior crural nerve), and TDIU are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for other specified depressive disorder is denied. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding service connection for a left foot disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from May 28, 2019 due to his service-connected PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder. The Board also referred the issue of a TDIU prior to May 28, 2019 for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.