Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the spine and remanded his claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, a left arm disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, anxiety and depression).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to be related to his service due to personal assaults during active duty. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tear and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to have begun during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues related to the Veteran's death. The Appellant is seeking to substitute as the claimant in these matters, but the AOJ must first determine if she meets eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied. The claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lumbar spine, cervical joint, right index finger, and right little finger disabilities have also been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical records and the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, was granted. However, his specific claims for PTSD and MDD were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The appeal regarding the initial compensable rating prior to April 12, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder prior to July 23, 2019 was granted at 50 percent. The claim for a higher evaluation after that date and TDIU were denied.

The Veteran's eligibility for VA educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is granted because she served on active duty and was discharged due to drug abuse, which is service-connected as secondary to her PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for a mental disorder (insomnia with major depressive disorder) since August 21, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeals are REMANDED as there is insufficient evidence to decide these claims at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is capable of performing daily living tasks without assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU on a schedular basis for the period since September 25, 2009. However, the case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU prior to that date.

Your PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse has been rated at the highest level (100%) since November 2, 2014. As your rating is already at its maximum, you are not eligible for a TDIU.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 22, 2010. The issue of an increased rating for low back strain remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's back strain is granted as service connected.,Service connection for a prostate disorder, including prostate cancer and due to herbicide exposure, is denied.,Service connection for an acquired mental health condition diagnosed as dementia, PTSD, and depressive disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure, is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA medical records and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disabilities will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.