Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, ESRD, and depression and anxiety as secondary to ESRD are remanded due to new evidence submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate secondary service connection opinion, and a new VA addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted due to the evidence showing a current diagnosis related to his service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis, TDIU prior to January 13, 2011, and effective date prior to January 13, 2011 for DEA benefits. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran's claim. The reasonable doubt created by this relative equipoise in the evidence must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded two claims: one for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety; the other for a higher rating for TBI residuals. The Veteran needs to undergo additional examinations to determine if he has PTSD and whether his TBI or its residuals are causing or aggravating any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and development of records, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and clarifying information about a provider named Dr. C.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including severance of service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and various other conditions. The appeal is also remanded for dependency and indemnity compensation and survivors pension benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as they are inextricably intertwined. The VA must provide an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused any increase in his psychiatric condition.

The Board denied service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as there was no evidence showing that the Veteran's MDD was related to his military service, including an incident of being kicked during surgery. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that MDD had its onset in or was otherwise medically related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and sleep apnea syndrome, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for depression is granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric diagnoses (excluding depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety attacks has prevented her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since September 21, 2018. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective that date.

The Veteran's service-connected unknown febrile illness (claimed as malaria and cerebral malaria) is not active, resulting in no residuals other than the symptoms of epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis. The Veteran's epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis was rated based on its severity prior to September 9, 2019, and from that date onwards, a higher rating of 60 percent has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to unclear notification of scheduled VA examinations. The appeals are now pending again.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and no higher. The lower lumbar spine scar associated with spondylolisthesis L5-S1, status post spinal repair, has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for this issue during his hearing. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied because the Veteran has not provided evidence that his condition was caused by a service-connected disability.