Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression due to inadequate VCAA notice, failure to provide a VA examination, and other procedural issues. The Veteran is entitled to additional time to submit lay evidence and VA will ensure proper notification and assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claim for major depressive disorder is being reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent prior to April 15, 2019. From that date forward, the rating remains at 70 percent but the appeal for a higher rating is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 40 percent. The TDIU claim for the period prior to October 11, 2013, and the depression and diabetic retinopathy claims are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues except the disability rating for PTSD with adjustment disorder and depression, which was dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine if they have an acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea, and increased ratings for his neck and back disabilities. The issues include determining whether there is a link between the Veteran's military service and any diagnosed conditions, as well as assessing the severity of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism, including thyroidmegaly and mild thyroid nodules, is rated at 60 percent for the period beginning December 15, 2014 to June 7, 2018.,Secondary service connection was granted for a depressive disorder secondary to her service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since June 19, 2006. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, major depressive disorder, diabetes, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The issue of service connection for tingling and stinging sensations in extremities has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and sleep apnea due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back injury, right knee condition, erectile dysfunction, PFB, and depressive disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection may not be presumed for any of these conditions as there is no evidence within one year of separation showing arthritis or other disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, and for a total disability rating due to unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The decision found that the veteran's anxiety disorder existed prior to his entrance into military service and was not aggravated by service, while his depression is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and pancreatic cancer due to insufficient evidence. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened, but denied on the merits. The claim for service connection for pancreatic cancer remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development. The right shoulder rating remains denied, while depressive disorder NOS with cannabis abuse and alcohol dependence is also denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder, and hypertension need further development due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development, including a new VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims include service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection, but his claims for an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of a rating in excess of 50 percent for hysterical neurosis conversion type, service connection for major depressive disorder, and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (claimed sleeping disorder) and migraine headaches due to inadequate previous VA opinions.