Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot, right foot, and low back disabilities have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension has been remanded.

The VA withheld disability compensation to offset a tort settlement, and the appeal is denied as it was required by law.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder, finding that the earliest date of a pending claim was January 30, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, and depression, was granted a 70 percent rating from September 4, 2015. The initial rating prior to this date remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with Major Depression, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor occurred and is linked to his current symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding her persistent depressive disorder, rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 17, 2015. The Board granted the TDIU based on her migraine headaches and neck condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination and the need for a new opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with depression, previously claimed as PTSD, and awarded a 30 percent evaluation effective March 4, 2010. The appellant was entitled to attorney fees of 20% of the past-due benefits awarded in the October 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.,For unspecified trauma- and stressor-related disorder (PTSD) and depression, the Veteran's claim was granted as they are related to his in-service experiences.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, pulmonary disability other than asthma and chronic bronchitis, bilateral otosclerosis status post (s/p) stapedectomy, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder with mild alcohol use disorder has rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically depression and/or PTSD, due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and whether such condition(s) are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and other acquired psychiatric disorders are granted. The cases of hearing loss, back disability, and neck disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, secondary to her service-connected Bell's palsy.,However, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Bell's Palsy remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to July 12, 2017 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches since July 12, 2017 was also denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU effective March 10, 2015.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for COPD, CAD, and hypertension are granted due to their aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,The cause of death (septic shock due to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection) is attributed to the underlying disease (coronary atherosclerosis), which is service-connected.,Initial ratings for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for depression with anxiety, both prior to and on or after September 24, 2014. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.