Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, evaluation of knee disabilities, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. Additional development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety with major depressive disorder and PTSD, due to military sexual trauma during active duty.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disorder, and sleep apnea, were not found to be service-connected. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of depressive disorder is causally related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depression due to MST, are etiologically related to his military sexual trauma during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision on the hearing loss claim is based on a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's current hearing loss began during or was caused by his military service, while the psychiatric disorder claim requires additional medical opinion to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent since November 12, 2020. The rating is denied as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural errors and incomplete evidence, including missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's left eye disorder is denied as not related to service or a current disability. Other issues such as eczema, respiratory disorders, psychiatric conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disorders are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his active duty service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder with Melancholic Features, is granted. However, the initial rating of 50% prior to March 9, 2018, and from March 9, 2018, to October 1, 2018, remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating greater than 60% for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, TDIU, SMC based on need for aid and attendance, spousal aid and attendance allowance, service connection for chest pain, reopening of PTSD claim, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for alcohol use disorder. The appeal was also remanded for service connection determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a denial of due process resulting from an incorrect address for his representative, Mr. Gumpenberger.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his service-connected anxiety disorder. The VA needs to provide updated medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's hypertension had its onset in service or within one year of separation, and if it is related to his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, including secondary to residuals of surgery for De Quervain’s Syndrome of the right upper extremity, is denied. The ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities are denied. A TDIU prior to September 20, 2019, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including depression, is being reviewed for potential service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and left hallux valgus deformity, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for an examination to determine if the appellant was insane at the time of his in-service marijuana violations.

The Veteran's PDD is rated at 70 percent prior to January 23, 2019. This rating reflects the severity of his symptoms including suicidal ideation and chronic sleep impairment.