Depression decisions — 2020

A rating of 30 percent, but no more, is granted for a gall bladder condition to include irritable bowel syndrome. The claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. Entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and major depressive disorder is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for right upper nerve damage as secondary to service-connected cervical condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's eye disorder, sleep apnea, heart disorder, skin disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and major depressive disorder are remanded for further development due to possible in-service exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals and radioactive materials at Seneca Army Depot and Fort Gordon.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation from examiners and issues related to effective dates for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA treatment records related to his depression and any other relevant records. He should also provide details about alleged in-service incidents that may have caused his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to COPD. Additional development is needed, such as obtaining medical records and a VA opinion on the nature and etiology of COPD.

The Veteran's MDD with anxiety disorder was rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of total occupational and social impairment. The appeal is remanded for further action.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral wrist condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder are not granted. The case is being remanded to gather more information.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 30, 2011 for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and bruxism. The decision is based on the Veteran's clinical manifestations of PTSD in August 2010 and his timely claim received by VA on September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's MDD with GAD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from October 20, 2015 to November 8, 2018. From November 8, 2018, the disability manifested as more severe impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is granted.,Service connection for residuals of a pelvic infection and major depressive disorder (MDD) are both granted.,A VA opinion is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities and his service. The case will be returned for further examination and a new opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of in-service evidence and a need for an additional etiology opinion. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder, is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation and opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) because there was no evidence showing that his current depression is related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, and alcohol dependence render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and whether a superimposed disorder is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, due to a lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed stressor. The Veteran was diagnosed with depressive symptoms during her active duty but these were found to be related to substance abuse rather than military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder prior to April 9, 2012, is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient examination findings and lack of information regarding flare-ups and repeated use over time.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse, was denied. Service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and tinnitus were granted. However, service connection for Gulf War syndrome, to include joint pain and chronic fatigue syndrome, was denied.