Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar I disorder and depression. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically a depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition is more likely related to post-service situational stressors rather than his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development and examination, including obtaining evidence of an in-service personal assault and determining the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to his in-service events. The reasonable doubt created by this relative equipoise in the evidence must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been granted, with a 40% rating effective from December 23, 2010. The TDIU claim is also remanded.,A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from December 23, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's preexisting PTSD was not aggravated during service and thus warranting direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD was incurred during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The lumbar spine disability and persistent depressive disorder prior to August 20, 2018 are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder was denied, and the TDIU claim was remanded due to lack of updated employment information and a need for a VA examination related to his left foot disability.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left elbow internal derangement status post internal fixation prior to August 7, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left elbow scar was also denied. However, the appellant's major depressive disorder with anxiety is granted a 50 percent rating, but not higher, prior to September 8, 2015, and denied a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (which includes PTSD, insomnia, and depression), initial compensable rating for residuals of a left 5th phalanx fracture, service connection for bilateral lower extremity lymphedema, and service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Board found that further development is needed in these cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his back condition and acquired psychiatric condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, schedule examinations if necessary, and provide an adequate opinion on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records from May 28, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for cataracts and depressive disorder, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to the Veteran's military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current evidence of a disability and noting that his symptoms are more likely related to his alcohol use disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records from Dr. M-Q and Dr. G.S., which are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's myxoid liposarcoma and its relationship to her secondary conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression due to MST. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and needs to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.