Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. The issues include left leg shortening, sinusitis, rhinitis, sarcoidosis, PTSD with depression, IHD status post angioplasty, left ankle talofibular ligament rupture, hyperparathyroidism, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, with the condition being aggravated by his service-connected left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner is required to provide opinions on the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to the need for further examination and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and high blood pressure. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder and specific phobia began during his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of prostate cancer residuals is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate and a higher rating for PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety have been denied for ratings higher than 50 percent prior to January 23, 2018, and in excess of 70 percent from January 23, 2018. The Veteran's atrophic rhinitis has also been denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have had its onset during service or within one year of separation, and is therefore denied.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder (including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder) had its onset in service. The claim for this condition is also denied.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not shown to have had its onset during service or be related to a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and need for further evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues and additional development is required. The appeal for increased ratings related to larynx, hypothyroidism, headaches, and ischemic heart disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied, but her claim for recurrent major depressive disorder/depression is granted. The case is also remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate condition, and increased rating for a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and tinnitus have been reopened, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) remain unresolved.,A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee condition has worsened since his last evaluation.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a mid-thigh amputation of the right leg, depression, various scars, tendon injuries, and neurological conditions. The decision is effective as of the date of the rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 3, 2018, for a 100% rating for Major Depressive Disorder was denied as the medical evidence did not support total occupational and social impairment prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), and gynecological disability (miscarriage residuals).

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including MDD, PTSD and GAD; tinnitus; TDIU; and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus. The AOJ is instructed to consider all relevant VA and private treatment records in the claims file and obtain any outstanding records as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder began during his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.