Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD, along with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol and cannabis use disorders, is currently rated at 70 percent prior to January 26, 2017, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The Veteran also received a TDIU since his last day of gainful employment on August 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a mental health condition, rating higher than 60 percent for renal insufficiency with hypertension, and service connection for a sleep condition. The claim for extraschedular consideration of tinnitus is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic low back pain was denied as there is no evidence of a low back disability related to his military service.,The Veteran's depression rating was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, with occupational and social impairment in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's left knee disability ratings were denied as they do not exceed 10 percent due to pain, limitation of motion, and slight instability without further functional impairment.,The Veteran's right knee disability ratings were denied for the same reasons as his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lipoma removal from the top of his head has been granted. His claims for left and right ankle disabilities, excluding Achilles tendonitis, have also been granted with effective dates based on when he first filed his initial claim. The Veteran's depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be related to his service-connected conditions, and his headaches are secondary to these disorders. Service connection has not been established for anemia or right knee chondromalacia.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, low back condition, and major depressive disorder. However, these issues are remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding obtaining VA treatment records from Mayaguez Outpatient Clinic and other medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, lung condition, psychiatric disorder, and prostate problems.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional records, including SSA and Vet Center treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's psychiatric disability and its impact on her occupational and social functioning. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied in January 2007, and the effective date of service connection is set at November 15, 2011. The Veteran's appeal to increase his disability rating from 70% to a higher level has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse are rated at 70 percent since March 15, 2019. The appeal is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection for a back disability and depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The decision also addresses PTSD but does not establish a separate service connection for it.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of service and post-service records, including missing VA Lakeside Hospital records and unverified in-service stressors. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are being evaluated again with additional evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's major depressive disorder should be rated at a higher level than currently, but needs more evidence to make this determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric disorders are related to in-service personal assault and artillery rounds. The VA must provide heightened notice regarding potential personal assault stressors and obtain all relevant records. An addendum opinion is needed from a VA examiner to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include depression is granted as secondary to service-connected vertigo. The claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to military sexual trauma (MST) and the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that suggests a possible link between MST and her current mental health conditions. The Board also notes that there is no direct evidence linking the hypertension to service, so it remains inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to military service. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are granted as service-connected due to combat stressors, with MDD being secondary to the PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, due to the Veteran's inability to attend a VA examination in Seattle, Washington. The Veteran must be provided another opportunity to attend a VA examination.