Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for both issues, so they are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to January 18, 2021 is being remanded. The case involves the determination of competency and the need to appoint a fiduciary or payee.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded to obtain a new examination to determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. His left shoulder condition and bilateral foot disability are denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were previously granted with a 50% rating, but the RO denied an increased rating to 70% or higher. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a 70% rating prior to February 12, 2021, and found that they more nearly approximated a 70% rating beginning on February 12, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and reconsideration of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to her military service and whether her poly substance abuse is aggravated by any diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Board has remanded cases involving initial ratings for knee disabilities and a rating for adjustment disorder with depression to include anxiety.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current condition had onset in or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for fibromyalgia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression) was granted. Service connection is established for fibromyalgia.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as a remand is required.

The Veteran's appeal seeking to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is dismissed.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 80 percent for grand mal seizure disorder is denied.,Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a left (minor) shoulder strain, impingement syndrome and labral tear with superior labral anterior-posterior lesion is denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent from March 2, 2015 to December 13, 2017.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with secondary alcohol use disorder was granted an initial rating of 50 percent from January 23, 2018 to March 4, 2021. Prior to this period, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability prior to October 7, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of TDIU prior to this date and grants the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), and fibromyalgia. The claim for service connection for vertigo was denied, and the claim for bilateral hip disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation by a service-connected disability.