Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS with alcohol dependence. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied. New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety and panic attacks is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The service connection claim for depression with alcohol abuse is also remanded as there is uncertainty about whether he has a current diagnosis of depression independent of his adjustment disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, and bilateral macular degeneration due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for not meeting the low threshold in McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination based on the current diagnosis and in-service diagnosis of anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD secondary to MST, anxiety disorder, and depression is remanded due to the need for further development regarding her claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, is being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 1, 2018, as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted service connection as due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board has remanded for further examination on the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employability prior to January 30, 2007, related to his PTSD and depression. The VA examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran could be employed in non-sheltered work environments during this period.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at 50% from June 25, 2018 to April 16, 2019. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from August 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, low back, left hip, right knee, right ankle, right foot, and right hand conditions, as well as his erectile dysfunction (orchiodynia), head injury, headaches, anxiety, and depression. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction on a secondary basis due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including Crohn's disease and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and twisted esophagus, GERD are not related to his active service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, finding no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability and insufficient evidence linking any such condition to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for a retrospective medical opinion regarding his low back disability and an examination for his neck disorder.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for depression secondary to pemphigoid disease and has remanded the issue of initial compensable rating for cicatricial pemphigoid disease.