Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability was denied due to lack of evidence of disease or injury in service. The claim is not reopened as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder cannot be established as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, which requires a specific stressor event. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed but there is no link to service or an in-service stressor.,The Veteran's skin disability (presumably seborrheic dermatitis and actinic keratoses) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral shoulder disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not present in service and there is no link between diabetes and service, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The bilateral eye disability (presumably macular disease, cataracts, and presbyopia) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. There is no evidence of a current disability or that it is related to service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral knee disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,The lumbosacral strain was not present in service and there is no link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations. The hypertension claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and schizophrenia has been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has ordered further development to determine the current severity of his gastrointestinal condition and hyperkeratosis of the feet.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, migraines, and hypertension. The Veteran's left knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities were remanded due to lack of evidence in the record. Service connection for tinnitus was also remanded as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it is related to service.,The Veteran's depression disorder claim had an effective date denied because he did not file a timely appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to additional development being necessary. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various conditions as the appellant, through her authorized representative, withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining complete service treatment records, verifying in-service stressors, and providing a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, due to a lack of complete inpatient records from the Veteran's service and recent VA clinical records. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of depressive disorder is denied. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date is January 31, 2014, when he submitted a VA Form 21-526 EZ Fully Developed Claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no in-service incurrence or nexus relating his claimed disability to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder has been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, diabetes mellitus, type II, and PTSD with depression and anxiety is being remanded due to new evidence.,Higher disability ratings are not warranted for any of these conditions based on current medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, as well as her gastrointestinal disability (IBS). The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anti-social personality disorder with secondary mood disorder, is being reviewed along with other issues related to his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted a 100 percent disability rating, effective October 22, 2015. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to July 18, 2019 and after that date are both rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to an insufficient medical opinion in the original decision, and a need for a new one from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and bilateral upper extremities due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims were based on presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on issues related to SMC based on loss of use of the left foot, SMC based on need for aid and attendance, and TDIU prior to January 30, 2018.