Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the stressor events and the relationship between his psychiatric conditions and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as traumatic brain injury. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee, back, hip, and ankle conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for high cholesterol and an effective date prior to March 8, 2013, for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved medical questions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychological disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The VA will conduct a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and sinus tachycardia have been dismissed due to her withdrawal from appeal. The remaining issues of service connection, rating, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to procedural errors in previous decisions, including issues with timeliness of notices and obtaining STRs from the Veteran's period of active duty for training. The claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's eye disability manifested by color deficiency is denied as it is a congenital defect.,An initial 50 percent disability rating for service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attack and unspecified depressive disorder, prior to May 21, 2019, has been granted. However, from May 21, 2019, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is manifested by no worse than flexion limited to 150 degrees and right shoulder disability by no worse than flexion limited to 145 degrees. Neither meets the criteria for a higher rating.,Left hip trochanteric bursitis has been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating, while right hip trochanteric bursitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and right knee have each been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating. No higher ratings are warranted.,Bilateral feet plantar fasciitis has been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating prior to November 25, 2019, but no higher rating is warranted from that date onwards.,Irritable bowel syndrome has not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressor and a need for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically persistent depressive disorder with other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, due to military sexual trauma (MST). The decision is based on a finding that it is at least as likely as not that her symptoms began during her service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiovascular collapse, bilateral pneumonia, and severe COPD. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband’s death, alleging exposure to asbestos while serving aboard the USS Kawishiwi, treatment for rheumatic fever in service, and development of a psychiatric disorder that contributed to his death.

The Veteran's diabetes insipidus and adrenal failure/insufficiency are currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's hypoparathyroidism is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if this condition may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's osteoporosis and glaucoma are currently not service connected, but the Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if this condition may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU. The right foot disorder is remanded for further examination.

PTSD with depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating effective June 6, 2016.,Radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted a 40 percent rating effective August 26, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 30 percent, but his depression has been rated at 30 percent. The PTSD rating is granted, while the depression rating remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder), and sleep apnea due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as a claim for an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's depressive disorder was not found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives and for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The TDIU claim was denied.