Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they are currently rated at 50%.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be secondary to his newly granted service-connected depressive disorder. An addendum opinion is needed from the May 2019 VA examiner regarding this theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Appellant's claim regarding the cause of the Veteran’s death, including reviewing private treatment records and VA medical records. The examiner will need to provide a fully-explained opinion on whether the service-connected depressive disorder and/or OSA disabilities were a causal or contributory cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is requested to determine if the Veteran's mental disorders are related to his military service and specifically whether he has PTSD based on a verified stressor of being in a snowstorm for three days.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and a temporary total evaluation due to left knee disability was dismissed. The application to reopen claims of service connection for right knee disorder and depression were granted.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for hypertension, chronic depression, and chronic lumbar strain. The left wrist disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted an initial rating of 70 percent. The Veteran also receives a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not received to support the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and anxiety, is at least as likely as not related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition. The COPD claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, while the psychiatric disorder may be related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed disturbances of emotional conduct (manifested by depression and anxiety) is granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to the spine disability, including left arm, right arm, left hand, right hand, left foot pain, right foot pain, left leg, and right leg disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective December 18, 2019. The rating remains at 50 percent prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired eye disorder and other specified depressive disorder due to potential new evidence or worsening symptoms, requiring further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is dismissed. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's TBI secondary to a head injury, as well as for an examination related to his right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder but has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and impotence.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to the need for additional VA treatment records, specifically from March 2019 to present. The Board will then re-evaluate his claims.