Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the appellant passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are granted, but the case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 10, 2003 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The earliest date of entitlement is more than one year prior to the date of claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The Board also found that the evidence supports a finding of service connection due to the onset of the condition during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and a need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's ED is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder due to a lack of an opinion linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression and anxiety, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressors. The diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD are considered sequelae or symptoms of his nonservice-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 25, 2011 for the award of service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to new and material evidence having been received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is reopened based on additional VA treatment records showing X-ray evidence of degenerative changes and a diagnosis of rotator cuff disorder, which may be related to the in-service injury. The claim for service connection for a left hand disorder (secondary to a left shoulder disorder) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it, and he was satisfied with his current disability rating for depressive disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and AUD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as she does not exhibit total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the severity of his symptoms does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The issues related to back and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and insomnia), residuals of a burn to the face, and bilateral impaired vision are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various acquired psychiatric, cardiac, erectile dysfunction, thyroid, sleep apnea, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders was denied. The Board found no current disabilities in the record.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, finding that the evidence did not establish a valid in-service stressor. The issue of tinnitus was remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and review of his medical history.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis. Service connection is remanded for an acquired psychiatric disorder and eye condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Depressive Disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.