Depression decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression, left knee disability, right knee disability, chronic fatigue disorder, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected heart condition, hypertension, and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of migraines, depression, left knee disorder, and fibromyalgia. However, the Veteran's claim for right leg and foot radiculopathy is denied as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since July 22, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran experienced significant impairment in social and occupational functioning due to his PTSD symptoms, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service stressor or trauma to support these diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and Depressive Disorder. The VA provided an inadequate opinion in September 2020, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at a 70 percent since April 3, 2008. The evidence shows significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, are related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased MDD and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar strain/myositis, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a grant of TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 17, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, was caused by his service-connected disabilities (prostate and lung cancer), thus granting the claim for service connection.

Your claim of service connection for PTSD and MDD has been fully granted by a rating decision in October 2020, so your appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's adult daughter, M.C., is seeking recognition as the 'helpless child' due to her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching age 18. The Board has ordered further action including obtaining private treatment records and a VA medical opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a heat injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), and migraine headaches. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred or aggravated during active service.,Service connection for left-testicular mass was also denied as there is no evidence of treatment after service and no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The effective date of a higher evaluation for urethral stricture is also being remanded.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, finding that the current degree of occupational and social impairment matches a 70 percent disability rating but does not warrant total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for increased disability evaluations for unspecified depressive disorder and a low back disability, as well as the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, are being remanded.