Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and improper discounting of the Veteran's credibility regarding his in-service stressors. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety, has been granted service connection.,Service connection for squamous cell carcinoma (claimed as throat cancer) due to herbicide exposure and lung scars secondary to the same condition are pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder was rated at 50% prior to January 23, 2018. The Board granted a higher rating of 70% for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and left lower extremity neurological disability. The appeal regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence of record. The appeal regarding right ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that none of his service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death. The lung cancer and glioblastoma were not related to service, and smoking was not considered a service-connected condition.

Service connection has been granted for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, and left ankle disability. The right shoulder disability remains under review.,The acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression) is now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depression are both granted service connection as they are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and lumbar disc disease, finding that the Veteran's back disability is aggravated by his service-connected ankle disability. The other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD. The Veteran's MDD is granted at a 70% rating, but no higher. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, to include as secondary to her service-connected hysterectomy, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of her major depressive disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma prior to October 2, 2018, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma from October 2, 2018, and thereafter. The appeal for TDIU is also dismissed. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shingles or other skin disorder was granted. The claims for Parkinson’s disease, actinic keratosis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with stimulant use disorder in remission and major depressive disorder with psychotic features have been rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her right hip bursitis claim was granted, and she received a 70% rating for her service-connected depressive disorder. The claims for opiate dependence were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically whether they are related to service or pre-existed service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 50 percent since February 9, 2012. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if a higher rating or TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's other specified depressive disorder is manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, and disturbances of motivation and mood. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but less than deficiencies in most areas. Therefore, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's other specified depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA opinion to determine if the Veteran has had any acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD at any point since May 2012, and whether such disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and depression secondary to the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. His depression is not related to his active service.