Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were not conducted as per remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically his claimed PTSD and schizoaffective disorder. The VA is required to provide an adequate examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that the cause of the Veteran's death is related to his service, specifically PTSD. However, due to insufficient evidence on whether PTSD was caused by his military service in Vietnam, the case is being sent back for further investigation.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection due to her requests for withdrawal of her claims, except for a remand for further review on some issues.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and depressive disorder claims are remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA or private treatment records. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability from the other claims.

The Board has decided to grant a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder and remand the issue of entitlement to a higher rating. The decision also grants TDIU, but vacates the previous remand on this issue.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the restoration of benefits due to an incarceration adjustment. The remaining claims for service connection and rating issues are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and anxiety disorders, was rated at 30 percent since March 29, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were consistent with a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for a bilateral hip disability, gastritis, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and chronic kidney disease. The VA is instructed to obtain the Veteran's federal records from the Social Security Administration and his VA treatment records.

An effective date of June 2, 2009, is granted for the grant of service connection for a lumbar strain. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened and allowed to this extent only.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's service status during her Naval Reserve active duty, specifically regarding the date of an incident of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred in December 1992. The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders related to this MST.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression with anxious distress) other than PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, due to chronic pain syndrome associated with his service-connected right and left foot, left ankle, and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, headaches, depression, and penis disability (ED) due to inadequate development. The claims are being returned for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and concluded that bipolar disorder is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is related to his service. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding racism during service and his reported experiences at Dachau.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and residuals of irregular menstrual cycle due to new evidence. However, these claims are remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety/depression). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his right ankle symptoms and the need for a VA medical opinion on whether his current right ankle disorder is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety state, depression, and insomnia. The evidence does not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.