Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, should be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the DSM-5 criteria for any mental health condition, including PTSD. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the acquired psychiatric disorder(s) had its onset during military service or is causally related to such service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient evidence to decide the claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration prior to March 3, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance (A&A) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and private treatment records from Rothman Orthopedics, Jefferson Hospital, and Bryn Mawr Orthopedic Clinic.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression as secondary to gastroparesis and asthma has been dismissed. The claim of entitlement to compensation benefits pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for gastroparesis, status post-laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent since March 4, 2019. The rating prior to that date was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his chronic pulmonary condition with obstructive sleep apnea and restrictive and obstructive lung disease, major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, needs further development and is therefore remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected anxiety and depressive disorder.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is remanded due to the need to obtain private psychiatric treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service stressors and his current symptoms related to rhabdomyolysis and shoulder impingement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to paranoid schizophrenia with depressive disorder and a compensable initial rating for flat feet due to insufficient evidence regarding causation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The VA medical opinion is insufficient and requires further clarification.

The Board has denied service connection for a right wrist disability, left hip disability, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as depression).,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions. The preponderance of the evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that all doubts should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his current occupational impairment and whether his alcohol use disorder is in remission.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to report for a VA examination and incomplete stressor verification. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is now pending.