Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further development is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with diabetes mellitus, type II presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents while in service. Hypertension and erectile dysfunction are also granted as presumptive conditions. Service connection is established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her back disability, bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome, and depression are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarity in the VA examiner's opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses are related to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include major depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal seeking a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder has been dismissed as he withdrew all of his pending appeals, including this one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since October 31, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, specific phobia disorder, depressive disorder, and an unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder. The issue of service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, back injury, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to outstanding treatment records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened due to new evidence. His claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, eye condition (including as due to Camp Lejeune exposure), and acquired psychiatric disorder have all been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and physical conditions like lumbar sprain, left hip bursitis, tinnitus, and right knee condition, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, right and left wrist disorders, sleep disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, actinic keratosis, nasal polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety disorder), eye disorder (vitreous syneresis, floaters, panniculi), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hernia, pulmonary hypertension, and allergic rhinitis have been denied. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence that would support the claims.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The diagnosis of PTSD and depression are based on valid stressors related to military sexual trauma (MST) during basic training and advanced individual training.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the case is remanded to determine if any other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and secondary substance abuse, is related to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include bipolar disorder, has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied because he is currently employed and has not demonstrated that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU, finding that there is not enough evidence to determine if a higher rating or TDIU is warranted based on his service-connected major depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.