Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, due to issues with service connection theory and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities have been denied. Her lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining gainful employment at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his active duty service. The decision is based on evidence of a verified in-service stressor event.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, specifically his PTSD and depression. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, verify the in-service stressor, and provide a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for elevated cholesterol. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, and headaches have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 11, 2013 for the award of service connection for PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and MDD is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and MDD and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that her symptoms did not meet or approximate the level of impairment required for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has not met the criteria for a 70 percent rating, as his symptoms have not resulted in deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate previous VA examinations and inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, including bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and dental disorder. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 18, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not currently have a disability. The claim for tinnitus is granted based on credible evidence of in-service exposure to loud noises.,Service connection for the deviated septum, right hand pain, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep disorder are all remanded due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with substitution and accrued benefits claims, which are inextricably intertwined with the service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The claim will be further developed by the RO.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder prior to February 5, 2020, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter is denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's low back condition and tension headaches have been remanded for further evaluation.,A psychiatric disorder claim has also been remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board denied service connection for these conditions as the evidence did not show aggravation of a pre-existing condition during active duty training.