Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has found that additional development is needed regarding the Veteran's employment status and the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case is being remanded for further clarification.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and unspecified depressive disorder and mild neurocognitive disorder due to lack of a current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5 criteria. The Veteran's other psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.,For migraine headaches, the Board found no nexus to service. For depression, it was determined that while there is a relationship with migraine headaches, as there is no other service-connected condition, secondary service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's MDD was initially evaluated at 50 percent from August 10, 2010 to December 3, 2018. From December 4, 2018 onwards, his MDD is rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder was evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to July 6, 2010. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has previously remanded this claim multiple times and is now remanding again due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and their relation to service. The appeal must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD was granted in March 2015, with a 30% rating effective May 1, 2002.,In March 2015, the Veteran was found to have occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted as service-connected.,PTSD, insomnia, and fatigue are denied as not being service-connected.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's right knee disability.,Service connection for migraine headaches is also granted as secondary to the now service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder was denied, and his initial rating for the acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder) was also denied. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders. The RO must attempt to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and obtain a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service event that would support the claim.,Service connection for PTSD is also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The Veteran's psychiatric disability other than PTSD, specifically persistent depressive disorder, is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD (specifically persistent depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and separate ratings for right and left knee instability. The Veteran's TDIU benefits are also granted. However, the issues of higher ratings for his knees and bilateral hearing loss must be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to her service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and pes planus. The case needs further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective August 6, 2015. The appeal for higher initial ratings on other issues remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder in early remission. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and a nervous twitch has been reopened. The Board has also expanded the claim to include consideration of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of her diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's headaches are determined to be secondary to a service-connected acquired psychological disorder (depression).,There is no evidence of tinnitus that was incurred in and due to the Veteran's time in service.,The Veteran's back condition did not have its onset during service or within one year of discharge, nor is it shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.,Hepatitis B is not found to have begun during active service or be otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran does not have a left foot condition that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,The Veteran does not have a right foot condition that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,Hypertension is not found to be related to the Veteran's military service or manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran does not have a skin condition disorder that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,The Veteran does not have a sleep disorder that was incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for Depression Disorder due to Parkinson’s disease is granted, with a maximum rating of 70 percent.