Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder. The issues are remanded.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for depression prior to June 28, 2019.,An effective date prior to September 3, 2010, for the grant of service connection for depression is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service, specifically the dissolution of his first marriage.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, effective May 17, 2011. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted due to the Veteran's occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU prior to April 2, 2015. Other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection of psychiatric disorders, bilateral knee disorders, and personal assault stressor claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The decision also includes a request for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety, is granted. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD or other stress disorder, an affective disorder, psychosis, and alcohol use disorder. The decision is based on new evidence that reopened his original claim.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's original claim for service connection for PTSD to include all acquired psychiatric disorders. The case is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the August 2016 VA examination and additional diagnoses made by VA psychiatrists.

The Board has denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits and has remanded the case to address her claim for increased DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his active service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable rating for tinea pedis of the left foot, finding that her conditions were not related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran’s claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder with pure dysthymic syndrome and anxious distress. The VA examiner's opinions are inadequate for deciding the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 70% prior to July 17, 2015. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a rating in excess of 50 percent.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was also denied because there was no diagnosed PTSD and no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder. The VA examiner did not address several service treatment records that suggested a potential link between the Veteran's mental health issues and his military service.

Service connection is granted for a left knee condition, right knee condition (secondary to the service-connected left knee condition), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder).,The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are found to be caused by in-service injuries. Service connection is also granted for his major depressive disorder as it is determined to be related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected lumbosacral strain remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have osteopenia during the pendency of his appeal and has remanded for further development regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including MDD.