Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of August 9, 2011. The claim for right hip disability remains pending and denied.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including herniated disc at C5-6 with neck trauma, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, GERD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder, effective from April 2, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional development, specifically a VA examination for depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA's duty to assist, particularly regarding the PTSD portion of the claim. The Veteran needs to identify specific stressor events and undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran requires aid and attendance of another person or if he is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The VA must obtain an addendum from a medical examiner to provide specific findings on these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. Additional development is required, including obtaining updated VA medical records and requesting Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD, are at least as likely as not related to military sexual trauma (MST) during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied because the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected mental disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The claim for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including determining if an earlier effective date is warranted for the TDIU and evaluating whether a higher rating is appropriate for Major Depressive Disorder prior to December 28, 2015.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is granted service connection, and the issues of entitlement to a TDIU and an eye disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent evaluation effective May 14, 2010.,A TDIU is granted effective May 14, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder has been granted a 100 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) are all granted service connection. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and post-traumatic stress disorder appeals have been withdrawn.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD and bipolar disorder. The decision is based on the need for further examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder and a TBI disability rating are being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and correctional custody records. A VA examination is also required to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's in-service diagnosis of character disorder was subject to a superimposed disease or injury during service that resulted in additional disability.