Depression decisions — 2020

Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted. The issue of SMC for loss of use of a creative organ is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and determinations regarding his service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for Tension Headache Disability, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder), Bilateral Epicondylitis of the Right and Left Elbows, and GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions to address the etiology of these conditions and verify the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD have been denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence, but the Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The claims for service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, hearing loss, hypertension, hypertensive cardiovascular heart disease, and gastritis have also been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee DJD and acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, are now service-connected. The Veteran is also granted a 20 percent disability rating for his left ankle condition.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for major depressive disorder before a decision was made, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examinations and incomplete records. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a seizure disorder, and increased ratings for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that it was caused by willful misconduct and not related to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and clarification of his employment history.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder, is rated at 50 percent. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including service treatment and psychiatric records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression, is now pending again.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and psychiatric conditions (including depression and anxiety disorder), finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and vertigo, finding that the conditions existed prior to service but were aggravated by service. The decision is based on credible evidence of in-service head injuries leading to these conditions.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's anxiety with depressive disorder from July 31, 2017. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression were granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective October 7, 2013.