Depression decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to the Veteran's current diagnoses not being related to his military service, but granted a TDIU for certain periods based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, was rated at 30 percent prior to December 4, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection will be determined based on the merits of the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unemployable at any point during the appeal period.

Your appeals for depression and a left ankle disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the April 2019 remand directives and further remand is required to ensure compliance.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder unspecified depression, which causes him to be likely precluded from substantial and gainful employment.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were initially denied due to his service-connected disabilities not resulting in an employment handicap. However, since the initial decision, he has been granted additional service connection for several conditions and there is evidence suggesting he may have an employment handicap now. The Board finds a remand necessary to conduct a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) to determine if he currently suffers from an employment handicap.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is reopened, and the cases of right hip disability, skin disorder, sinus disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of earlier effective date for anxiety disorder with depression, service connection for right kidney carcinoma, sinusitis, increased evaluation for anxiety disorder with depression, and TDIU are also being considered.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be service-connected as secondary to his psychiatric disability and/or diabetes, but an additional examination is needed to determine if there was any aggravation of the condition.

The Board denied service connection for lung disability (asthma), peripheral neuropathy of right and left upper extremities, and acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder and insomnia) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange is presumed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD with additional conditions like atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic lumbosacral strain, left elbow epicondylitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left shoulder tendonitis, bilateral tinnitus, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 19, 2015. The Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU based on his MDD with PTSD alone, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for MDD, alcohol use disorder, and OSA as secondary to a psychiatric disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address service connection and any aggravation of psychiatric disorders by service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service but not due to an in-service diagnosis or clinical finding.

The Board has restored the Veteran's service connection for PTSD, finding that the original grant was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral hip condition, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory, heart, gastrointestinal, lumbar spine, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a right knee disability and hearing loss effective December 2, 1993. The effective date for these awards is set at the earliest possible date based on the receipt of his application.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus and PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol/cocaine use disorder was granted effective September 30, 2015. The claims were not filed prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders preexisted service and were aggravated by it. The Veteran is asked to provide records from a behavioral health facility and undergo an examination to clarify these issues.