Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's OSA was not incurred during service, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling. The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for LLE radiculopathy from May 31, 2018 onwards and denied ratings in excess of 40 percent. For RLE radiculopathy, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating prior to December 18, 2012, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a low back disorder, lump on right wrist, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with prior remand directives and the Veteran's inability to receive a VA examination. The examiner is requested to determine if any of the claimed psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Board granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service due to a history of depression dating back to 1968.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, and the rating for his lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome was also denied.

The Veteran died from drug intoxication, and the Board is remanding to determine whether his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was reopened. The Board found that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection for bilateral bicep condition to include tendonitis and bilateral foot disorder including plantar fasciitis are remanded due to lack of a VA opinion. Service connection for anemia and hypertension are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death in December 1975, finding no evidence linking his suicide to a service-connected condition or any other basis. The claim was reopened and granted based on new medical opinions submitted by the appellant in June 2008.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress. The decision finds that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the current condition had its onset during service and thus supports a finding of in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further medical examination. The appellant's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension is reopened, but the effective date remains June 16, 2016. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD and a higher effective date are both remanded.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected DDD of the thoracolumbar spine. Service connection for left and right knee disabilities remains denied, but a higher evaluation (40%) is granted for DDD of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, headaches, basal cell carcinoma of the right eyelid, and Asperger’s syndrome with anxiety and depression. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for chronic adjustment disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depression. The claim is remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on her service-connected bilateral lower extremity disability, pes planus, and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations. Her claims for service connection for asthma, restless leg syndrome, and depression remain pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination. The Veteran's psychiatric condition, sleep apnea, and headaches are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for depressive disorder and a TDIU due to new evidence not previously considered.