Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's current anxiety disorder NOS and unspecified depressive disorder are found to be as likely as not attributable to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST) incident, granting service connection for the acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD, to include anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and sleeping disorder, is rated at 100 percent effective from January 9, 2013. Service connection for adjustment disorder is granted as part of the Veteran’s psychiatric disability. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for PTSD and Depression due to insufficient discussion of evidence favorable to the Veteran regarding his depressive symptoms prior to a motor vehicle accident. The case is now pending further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for an addendum opinion from a VA mental health examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to July 8, 2016 and 70 percent after that date. The Board has ordered further development due to new evidence.

The Veteran's son, S.K., was not found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to his diagnosed conditions and mental health issues. The Board denied recognition of S.K. as a helpless child.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The claims for tinnitus, PTSD with major depression based on MST, and sleep apnea were granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for completion of the development directed by the Board in its last remand. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, and hypothyroidism; rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthrosis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to May 26, 2017 and to a rating higher than 40 percent thereafter; service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity; an effective date earlier than August 19, 2011, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity; and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's depression with alcohol use disorder and left eye aphakia resulted in a 70 percent disability rating from August 15, 2011 to June 11, 2014. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, nocturia, and prostate cancer did not manifest in service or until many years after service and there is no competent evidence that indicates any of these disorders are related to service.,There is no indication that the Veteran had nocturia in service and no evidence suggesting it is related to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (chronic anxiety and depression) due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability. The claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and persistent depressive disorder. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of PTSD and depression, requiring further development including a VA mental health examination.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disabilities (Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective December 22, 2016. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, but has remanded the cases of coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of evidence regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and depression, as secondary to a low back disability, are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current back condition is related to an in-service injury, and his depression is caused by his low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, as secondary to military sexual assault during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder with psychotic features had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and the relationship between his major depressive disorder and service.