Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Left and right knee arthralgia associated with sarcoidosis are both granted, with the left knee also diagnosed with DJD and a meniscal tear.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder (also claimed as depression and anxiety) throughout the appeal period. The issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, as well as a cognitive impairment claim, are being returned to the RO for additional review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current mental health disability, including anxiety, depression and PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to in-service trauma, specifically fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. As such, service connection for his current mental health disability is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 100 percent rating from July 19, 2016. The effective date for the service-connected condition remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address the Veteran's stressors. The claim for service connection is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder. Service connection was denied for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus or diplopia. The VA must obtain retrospective opinions addressing this issue.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of erectile dysfunction, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including mood disorders, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD) due to the death of the appellant.

The appeal for service connection for chest pain has been dismissed as the claim was granted in a March 2021 rating decision. The issues of increased rating for MDD and TDIU are still pending.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to insufficient evidence, including for left hip condition secondary to bilateral knee chondromalacia, right hip condition secondary to bilateral knee chondromalacia, degenerative arthritis of the spine, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for individual unemployability, increased evaluation for PTSD, and an earlier effective date. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board is remanding the case due to a duty to assist error regarding missing medical records from group therapy sessions. The Veteran must provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding his diagnosis and its relation to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and MDD. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran's current PTSD and MDD are related to his military service, including fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating, earlier effective date, and TDIU due to procedural issues. The CUE claim regarding PTSD service connection is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. From September 12, 2015, he is granted TDIU due to service-connected PTSD with depression. From June 3, 2016, he is also granted SMC at the housebound rate.