Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease effective August 31, 2010 based on the liberalizing law that added ischemic heart disease to the list of diseases associated with herbicide exposure. The effective date for depression was set at May 17, 1973 as this is when the Veteran first sought VA medical benefits and applied for psychiatric treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. A new examination is needed to evaluate the severity of his major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and requests for further clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, as well as whether any current acquired psychiatric disorders are caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress from April 25, 2017 to November 28, 2018. The decision also notes that the issue of entitlement to TDIU remains viable and inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for obstructive sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disabilities, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, nasal fracture residuals, left hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, headache, sinus disability, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for herpes simplex.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, sleep apnea, residuals of jaw fracture, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress (depression) due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic generalized anxiety, depressive disorder NOS, and poly substance dependence in full remission. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported symptoms during service and his current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted, and her left hip strain is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to evidence suggesting a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and related stressors is being reviewed further.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted it, finding a positive nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with panic disorder has been granted, as his symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment but not to the level that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected knee, spine, feet, and wrist disabilities. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service. The Veteran was deployed to Djibouti and had symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, concentration problems, irritability, and forgetfulness during his deployment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is reopened. The appeal is granted to this limited extent.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and found that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) and obstructive sleep apnea was not established, as there is no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including to verify in-service stressors and determine the nature and etiology of hearing loss, PTSD, anxiety, depressive disorder, and TMJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and now requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for higher ratings or an earlier effective date has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's headaches are also granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus. For allergic rhinitis, a 10% rating is granted effective October 26, 2012.