Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a head injury (claimed as dizziness and/or vestibular disorder) has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental health condition, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and opioid dependency, finding no evidence that these conditions were caused by an in-service event or injury.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to his military service. The other psychiatric conditions were not found to be directly related to service.

The Board has granted DIC for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his depression, which began during service and continued after separation, substantially contributed to his suicide via gunshot wound.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's GAD and depressive disorder, effective September 15, 2014, based on new evidence that demonstrated total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% prior to July 10, 2008 and increased to 50% thereafter. The current appeal seeks a rating of 70% for PTSD effective from July 10, 2008.,The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms after July 10, 2008 warranted a 70% evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine his employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new and material evidence received within one year of the February 2015 rating decision, which granted a higher disability rating for MDD. The effective date is set at August 11, 2015.

The claim for a higher initial rating than 70 percent for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder is denied. The claims for service connection for various conditions are also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding several disability ratings, effectively dismissing the cases.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal on both issues of increased rating for major depressive disorder and service connection for a bilateral hip disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and opinions on etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and substance abuse, has been granted a total 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including as secondary to a service-connected back disability, and denied his claim for a higher rating for his back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing records, particularly regarding the Veteran's depressive disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression that includes fatigue.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD prior to October 4, 2019, was denied. The appeal regarding the TDIU due to PTSD prior to October 4, 2019, was dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is granted for an initial disability rating of 50 percent for post traumatic headaches. The application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. Issues related to residuals of a stroke, right cornea disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on regular need for aid and attendance is remanded due to the lack of adequate contemporaneous medical examinations. The Board finds that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current state of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform activities of daily living.