Depression decisions — 2021

Service connection is granted for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)/Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine.,Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD with Alzheimer's disease, other specified depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury prior to November 27, 2019 has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TBI with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since June 9, 2013.,Migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the service connection of depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and need for a new VA examination.

The Board restored the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD and MDD from 50% to 50%, effective October 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's vertigo, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and/or acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied because she failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with her supplemental claim, without providing good cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including pre-service mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal of his service connection claim for major depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder was dismissed because the decision he appealed was issued before the implementation of the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The appeals for service connection of a left eye disorder, respiratory disorder (chest nodules), and left leg disorder have been dismissed. The appeals for stomach disability, lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiners and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically his depressive disorder. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, GERD, and erectile dysfunction. The acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be caused by the Veteran's military service. Hypertension, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are found to be aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically whether they are related to his service-connected low back disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be significantly impacted by the outcome of the service connection claim.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 70 percent evaluation for their acquired psychiatric disability, effective November 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental condition, including memory loss (previously claimed as sleep disturbance and depression due to an undiagnosed illness), has been reopened. The case is remanded for further development, including verification of the in-service stressor event and another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and reopening of a previously denied claim for gastrointestinal disorders due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.