Depression decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and drug addiction, finding no evidence of a current condition related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as a nervous condition, depression, and anxiety is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for a disability claimed as sleep and dream disturbance is reopened. The issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, right ear hearing loss, and lumbar strain myositis, central herniated nucleus pulposus at L4/L5 are remanded. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for GAD and persistent depressive disorder due to conflicting medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are currently diagnosed, but the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities needs further clarification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and peripheral neuropathy in both legs.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected conditions was denied. The initial rating for residuals of NHL to include joint pain, headaches, and fatigue remains at 40 percent. A higher rating for MDD associated with residuals of NHL is granted but not in excess of 70 percent. GERD with swallowing difficulty continues to be rated at 10 percent. Urticaria remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acne and facial scars. The decision affords the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

A higher initial rating of 50 percent for the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted. An increased rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbar myositis from July 12, 2012 to May 10, 2016 is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected depression with PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. Additionally, his TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to June 9, 2016 did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. However, from June 9, 2016, a 70 percent evaluation and no more was granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, initial disability rating for depression and dysthymic disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,Service connection for hypertension was not granted due to lack of in-service diagnosis or manifestation within a presumptive period. The Veteran's right leg varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency were found not to be related to his hypertension.

A rating of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is granted effective September 1, 2014.,Effective September 1, 2014, the Veteran is also granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,The decision grants both the MDD rating and TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic right hip adductor and flexor muscle myofascial strain. The claim for service connection for migraines is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to consider all of the Veteran’s mental health treatment records and provide a new opinion on whether his current PTSD is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to deficiencies in the development of evidence and for further examinations. The issues include increased ratings for migraine headaches, major depressive disorder with TBI, and PTSD; entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU); and service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination for her lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, NOS, is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of secondary service connection and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability.