Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bipolar/depression condition has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and consideration of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as it was not factually ascertainable that her service-connected disability rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation within one year prior to December 21, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, but granted service connection and assigned a rating for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from the date of his claim. His bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, but no higher.

The Board has vacated the July 16, 2019 decision and remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions. The claims are now pending with the RO for further review.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed conditions, which include gastrointestinal issues and varicose veins. The examinations will also assess whether any of these conditions are related to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression and PTSD is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for memory loss is denied because it is a manifestation of his service-connected PTSD with minor neurocognitive disorder and mild memory loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no medical opinion connecting her current depressive disorder to in-service events or symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches, chronic kidney stones, a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), and OSA have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions of in-service onset or relationship to service.,There was no current diagnosis of these conditions at any time during the pendency of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including the completion of a VA Form 21-8940 to assess her employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete records from the VA Choice Program. The Board will seek additional relevant treatment records and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's hand tremors are not related to his military service and were not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities, including depression and migraines with medications.,There is no evidence of a chronic gastrointestinal disorder during the Veteran's military service. The current diagnosis of benign colon polyp was newly acquired after he left service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder associated with bladder cancer is granted a 70 percent rating, effective February 14, 2012.,An earlier effective date for the grant of total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) have been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent only. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU due to outstanding private treatment records and additional information regarding his employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for hypertension, tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and service connection for various disabilities have been withdrawn.,Issues related to the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. The Board found new and material evidence supporting the reopening of these claims.