Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has found that a timely notice of disagreement was filed, but the statement of the case has not been issued. The matter is therefore REMANDED for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran filed his intent to file a claim on November 29, 2017. The TDIU issue was also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gallbladder removal, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and vitiligo due to inadequate VA opinions and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are alleged to have aggravated her gallbladder condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset and cause of the Veteran's depression, which is related to his military service. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy is granted as service-connected due to the effects of his military occupational specialty (MOS) as a cannon crewman. Service connection for depressive disorder and PTSD, including right shoulder injury secondary to cervical spine disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was evaluated at a 70 percent rating. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's MDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. His cervical strain was rated at 20% effective February 26, 2019, with additional radiculopathy ratings for the right upper extremity and left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), hypertension, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, blurred vision, and erectile dysfunction due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease with associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and Diabetes, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder. The decision vacates the previous denial of this claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was granted, but his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied. The TDIU issue is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and major depressive disorder was granted. However, his claim for a higher rating for low back disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and additional examination. The issues include degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee pain, and depression.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted a higher rating for major depressive disorder with insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea, nor did he receive service connection for his right knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, as well as alcohol abuse. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including for psychiatric, hearing loss, and coronary artery disease evaluations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to new evidence received since the April 2019 SOC. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his service connection for a residual scar from salivary gland stone removal and depressive disorder are being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no new and material evidence to reopen them. The effective dates for some of these claims were not established.

The Board has remanded the claims for a respiratory disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) due to potential herbicide exposure in Korea. The Veteran's service records show he was stationed at Camp Casey in Korea from 1980 to 1981. Further development is needed to verify his claimed exposure to Agent Orange.