Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with other specified personality disorder and his TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic neuropathic pain, right groin, was denied. The Board found that the current disability picture did not warrant an increased rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for a back disability. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder due to incomplete development of records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, major depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and cirrhosis of the liver have been granted. The effective dates are set as per the date of receipt of the respective claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of service connection claims, including a psychiatric disability, chronic headache, and emphysema. The Veteran's death prevented direct review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder), and PTSD is granted. The claims are based on aggravation of pre-existing conditions during military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination to assess her employability given her service-connected disabilities prior to April 29, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for thoracic outlet syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran's TOS may have preexisted service but was not aggravated by it. The MST claim is also being addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his symptoms are related to his military service and he meets all three elements of a valid PTSD claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, the case is remanded as a new VA examination is needed to clarify whether any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to traumatic brain injury, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, migraine headaches, and left eyebrow scar is granted. The claims for right arm condition, left arm condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot condition, sleep condition, neck condition, and prostate cancer are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an abdominal scar, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, depression, and anxiety), and COPD due to conflicting evidence and lack of verification of claimed stressors.

The Veteran's abdominal gunshot wound with scars has resulted in two painful scars, which are currently rated at 10 percent. The RO denied a higher rating as the scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7804.,Major depression is currently rated at 50 percent and the Veteran seeks an increased rating. TDIU is also sought.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing updated VA treatment records. The Veteran needs a new psychiatric disorder assessment, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a mental disorder and metastatic esophageal cancer due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's aircraft maintenance duties are alleged to be related to his current health issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to obtain additional medical records. The issues include psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, GAD, and fibromyalgia; and joint pain, specifically fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to incomplete VA examinations. The appeals for initial ratings of more than 10 percent for his knee and back disorders, as well as PTSD with depression, are now pending.

The appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the claims are still pending as new evidence has not established a clear link to military service. The rating for GERD remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, service connection for depression, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with PTSD and anxiety is currently rated at 30 percent, effective July 14, 2014 to December 8, 2015.,A rating of 50 percent for the period beginning December 9, 2015 has been granted.