Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left ulnar nerve disability is now rated at 60 percent, effective as of December 27, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and major depressive disorder from August 6, 2008 to June 21, 2013 was granted.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and major depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis. The appeals concerning the other conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran's appeal of an earlier effective date for hearing loss was withdrawn. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, persistent depressive disorder, and OSA as secondary to persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred.,Service connection for psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that the Veteran's reported stressors actually occurred.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted effective May 1, 2013. The effective date for PTSD is set at August 18, 2009.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection, and his depressive disorder is granted a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including personality disorder, adjustment disorder, and depressive disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a separate compensable rating for a psychiatric disorder as a residual of his service-connected prostate cancer and for entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, sleep disorder, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The case will be readjudicated following compliance with the Board's previous remand directives.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety features is rated at 70 percent from January 24, 2019. Migraines are rated at 50 percent prior to January 24, 2019 and 70 percent from that date onwards.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. Additional development is needed, including an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's epilepsy is related to Gulf War exposures.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety with MDD prior to February 25, 2019 and denied any increase in rating greater than 70 percent from that date. The decision also vacates part of the December 2020 Board decision regarding increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues, including those related to bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the right elbow, multiple fractures of the mandible, sleep apnea, and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and headache disorder were also granted as secondary to the now service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent, the highest rating available, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's photophobia and dry eyes are related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection. His PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2011.