Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to incomplete examinations, lack of proper measurements, and the need for additional opinions regarding his psychiatric disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's service connection for depression was granted. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism and the TDIU claim were both remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in adjudicating service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with memory loss due to MST. The Veteran's claims are pending and will be reviewed again.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right shoulder disabilities. The claims for service connection for depression and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his acquired psychiatric condition, service connection for a right wrist condition, respiratory disorder, allergies, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of his psychiatric disability, nature and etiology of his right wrist condition, respiratory and sinus conditions, and whether his ulcerative proctitis is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to suggest a relationship between his current unspecified personality disorder and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for SSA disability benefits records, which must be obtained before proceeding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The remaining claims for higher ratings on his right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including verifying the Veteran's claimed personal assault stressor and obtaining medical opinions regarding his diagnoses and service connection claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability manifested by nervousness and depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, chest pain, a heart disability, hypertension, and headaches. The preponderance of the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to care for his daily needs, requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that he needed assistance with all activities of daily living due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision. The case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions on various conditions.

The Board found that discontinuance of VR&E services based on a negative feasibility determination was proper due to the Veteran's significant physical health issues and extensive limitations in his activities. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied in October 2017, and new evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychological condition (to include anxiety and depression) is reopened. The Board finds that the newly submitted evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied in October 2017, and new evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied attorney fees as the Veteran did not file an NOD for the service connection claims in December 2016 and March 2017 rating decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim is reopened due to new evidence, but the issue of whether his current psychiatric disorders are related to military service remains unresolved.