Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo a new VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as determined by the Board.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of TBI and PTSD with TBI, as these issues have been fully addressed by a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. The other claims for service connection were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for anxiety, depressive disorder, and PTSD have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the LLE and RLE as due to residuals of a cold weather injury.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, major depressive disorder, hypothyroidism, diverticulitis, and cervical spine disability. The claim to reopen the lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for PTSD and depression. The Veteran's claims are reopened based on new evidence, but further evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing treatment records. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected condition, and pes planus.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of depression is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depression, currently rated at 50 percent, is denied as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is based on new evidence showing that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified depressive disorder), including as secondary to the service-connected right leg fracture residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and conducting stressor development. The case will also be reviewed to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder due to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to January 20, 2020. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.,Starting from January 20, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder warrants an initial disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he did not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are found to be related to his military service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left hip condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to outstanding records not being obtained, and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorder, bladder cancer, cardiovascular disorder (mitral valve insufficiency), lung disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are denied as there is no evidence to establish in-service incurrence or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.