Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, prostate cancer with frequent urination, erectile dysfunction due to prostate cancer, and depression. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Board denied reopening of previously denied claims for PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep apnea, and bilateral tinnitus. The evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and outstanding private treatment records. The issues are related to various conditions including actinic keratosis, atherosclerosis lower extremities, atrial fibrillation, basal cell carcinoma left and right cheek/right nose, cervical spine stenosis, chronic kidney disease stage 3, depression, erectile dysfunction, essential hypertension, left carotid stenosis, mixed hyperlipidemia, lumbar spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, peripheral neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and carotid artery stenosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance, finding that the evidence did not show an actual requirement of personal assistance from others.,The Board also denied service connection for cause of death as there was no service-connected disability at the time of the Veteran's death. The appellant's claims were not supported by evidence showing a service-connected condition or contributing to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder was granted. The claims for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and for hip and low back disabilities were remanded.

The Board has granted the claims for service connection for parotid neoplasm and acquired psychiatric disability as secondary to HIV, but denied the claim for prostatitis. The other conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) were denied as there was no evidence of a stressor event or other in-service injury that could be linked to the current conditions. The Board found insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors, which are required for service connection under certain circumstances.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and he is now granted service connection. His lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent. The Board also found that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for Parkinson's disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depressive disorder with alcohol use. The evidence shows that his condition is related to his experiences in Iraq.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to his service-connected depressive disorder and obesity.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is rated at 70 percent from March 30, 2016 to February 11, 2018 and 100 percent disabling from February 12, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to incomplete development and lack of proper notification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied claims for obstructive sleep apnea and right hip disability. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder (flat feet and plantar fasciitis) claim remains pending as VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to concerns about the sufficiency of evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for status post septorhinoplasty, service connection for adjustment disorder with depression, and service connection for chronic insomnia are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports and incomplete development of stressor allegations. The issues include PTSD, depression, anxiety, bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, and low back disability.