Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the NODs received on August 23, 2017 were timely for all issues except PTSD. The claims are being remanded to allow the AOJ to issue a statement of the case (SOC) for those issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for clarification on the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder. The claims for service connection are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, a sleep disorder (RLS), and a headache disorder (migraines) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a scar of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent prior to May 29, 2018 and higher than 40 percent from that date for low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a separate evaluation for bilateral sciatic radicular pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine if his current psychiatric condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder (including depression) due to additional development being necessary. This includes obtaining records from his service period in May 1985, private medical records, and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including sarcoidosis, PTSD, depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, bilateral shin splints, and headaches. The appeals are pending further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder (Depression), and Alcohol Dependence as secondary to PTSD due to conflicting medical evidence and arguments from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several claims including service connection, disability ratings, and effective dates due to new evidence received after the issuance of the SOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a link between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left pneumothorax was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorders.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder due to another medical condition (MS), finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a urinary disorder is denied.,Service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety has been expanded to include all psychiatric disabilities diagnosed. The claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to incomplete records and need for an examination.,Service connection for right hip DJD, left hip DJD, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, right ankle DJD, left ankle DJD, right foot DJD, and left foot DJD is remanded as secondary to a low back disability. Service connection for right shoulder DJD, left shoulder DJD, right hand disability, and left hand disability is also remanded as secondary to a cervical spine disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinion. Service connection for skin disabilities is remanded due to incomplete records of private treatment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU rating is inextricably intertwined with the other claims and must be deferred.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board denied agent fees for the period of July 2, 2014, through May 26, 2015, based on past-due benefits awarded in a May 2015 rating decision which granted TDIU. The NOD had only been filed with the denial of service connection for PTSD and not with a denial of TDIU.

For the appeal period prior to January 28, 2020, the Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,As of January 28, 2020, the Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his depression. The initial rating for unspecified depression with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is denied, but the Veteran receives a higher rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The claims include psychiatric disorders, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral shoulder conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the issues regarding a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, stress, and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.