Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain, left knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The right knee condition is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder. The opinions are needed to determine if the current psychiatric disorder is directly related to service or aggravated by a service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and depressive disorder secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran experienced back pain during service, which continued after separation, and that his current depression is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder and persistent depressive disorder, to include dysthymia. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and a higher evaluation for degenerative arthritis with lumbar disc disease are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of his credibility regarding stressor events in service.

The Board has remanded two issues: evaluating the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, for a higher rating; and determining if he is eligible for TDIU due to his service-connected disability. The remand requires obtaining an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the July 2018 examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. The alcoholism claim is also remanded due to its potential interrelation with the PTSD claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service, particularly his deployment to Saudi Arabia in 1990-1991. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD and insomnia disorder are granted with a 30% rating, effective August 28, 2013. The Veteran is also granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, dementia, and PTSD), and traumatic brain injury are not service-connected.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety, is related to his active duty service. The decision grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to June 23, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are due to an in-service assault. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence to decide the claim, requiring the Veteran to be afforded a VA examination with opinion on the etiology of his mental health condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 70 percent prior to January 30, 2017 and denied for a higher rating since that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease, interstitial lung disease, depression with sleep impairment, speech impairment, larynx paralysis, and ischemic heart disease, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical and cognitive impairments. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric condition had its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric residuals of a traumatic brain injury, characterized as depressive disorder with anxiety, are granted at a 70% disability rating effective March 29, 2013. Other TBI residuals remain rated at 10%. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and degenerative disc syndrome, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.