Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for major depressive disorder, and TDIU have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, his major depressive disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and he has not demonstrated inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his mental health disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The other conditions (PTSD and depression) are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease. Bilateral hearing loss is also denied due to lack of a nexus between current hearing loss and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination and the need for clarification of whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1815 and § 1805 as she does not meet the legal criteria to qualify for benefits due to her father's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran was granted service connection for dizziness as secondary to medication taken for his service-connected degenerative disc disease.,An effective date of August 1, 2013, is assigned for the increased rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, Opioid Use Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Chronic Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Features of Anxiety and Depression have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorders, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected disuse muscle atrophy of the biceps and triceps with chronic lateral epicondylitis. The cervical spine disability and left elbow disability are also found to be secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 30, 2016 for the award of service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that there was no earlier formal or informal claim received.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service, including any alleged in-service stressor of military sexual trauma.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as there was insufficient information provided by the RO when making the initial decision. The Veteran's employment prior to stopping work is also to be considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD (also claimed as manic depression) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease as it is not secondary to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran was granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to his PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a spinal disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a respiratory disability. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative back disorder, major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and feet problems, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement for schedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and assistance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, left knee strain and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD with TBI and MDD, as well as right ankle disability. The Veteran needs additional VA examinations to determine the current severity of his disabilities.