Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's agoraphobia with panic disorder, MDD, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder II are found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. His alcohol dependence is also found to be secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's bipolar I disorder, anxiety disorder with depression, adjustment disorder, and PTSD have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has determined that a disability rating of 50 percent is appropriate for the Veteran’s psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining deck logs from his ship and disciplinary records.

The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), joint pain, muscle pain, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, left eye condition, unspecified depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and tension headaches have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps are denied as the evidence does not show a separate and distinct disability from his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 24, 2012. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for depression was denied. The claim for an increased rating of 50 percent or higher for mixed type headache disorder was granted, effective November 1, 2011 to June 19, 2019. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post L4-5 discectomy was denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent or higher were granted for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post L4-5 discectomy, effective February 23, 2007. A noncompensable rating was granted for erectile dysfunction associated with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post L4-5 discectomy, effective February 23, 2007. SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ was granted, effective February 23, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's psychiatric history and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for depressive disorder and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound due to incomplete information in the most recent VA examination, which did not differentiate between symptoms caused by service-connected depression and non-service-connected mental disabilities. The Veteran is also unable to attend to his daily needs without assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted a 50 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal, with symptoms including panic attacks more than once a week and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder as the evidence does not show a nexus to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent from August 4, 2009 forward. The Veteran also receives a TDIU rating for the same period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, sleep disturbance, and memory loss. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection was not granted as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder and depression. The Veteran's heart condition is remanded for further examination to determine if it is a congenital defect or disease and whether any superimposed diseases or injuries occurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and antisocial personality disorder, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing supplemental opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities. Service connection is denied for residuals of a left forearm injury.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and drug use are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's substance abuse is also granted as secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to lack of a VA medical opinion on its etiology.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's OSA and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with panic attacks are granted service connection. The lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and MDD claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for asthma, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, conversion disorder) due to incomplete records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there was no evidence showing that his current conditions were caused by events during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including high cholesterol, gout, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, a sleep disability, a heart disability, urinary incontinence, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety), headaches, a prostate disability, a thyroid disability, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service for these conditions.