Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify a stressor and incomplete service records. The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are being reviewed for possible connection to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The case is remanded to obtain an updated VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's depression disability is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating (70% or 100%) under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating of depressive disorder and TDIU prior to July 5, 2016 are being remanded due to incomplete development. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service connection claim for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted. The Board also remanded the cases of hypertension, sleep apnea, and right ankle condition due to need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining missing service personnel records and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and other specified trauma and other stressor related disorder. Service connection is also remanded for major depressive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), but denied for left knee, low back, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for various conditions, including uterine fibroid, ovarian cysts, onychomycosis (infected toe nails), actinic keratosis of the left wrist and nose, peripheral vestibular disorder, and PTSD. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. His somatization disorder is granted as well, but the other issues are remanded due to a need for further examination and development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to failure of the Veteran to appear at scheduled VA examinations. The examinations will be rescheduled, and additional records from private sources may need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for high cholesterol was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.,Her claim for an increased evaluation of her total abdominal hysterectomy was denied, and the current rating is at its maximum level under applicable criteria.,Service connection for diabetes and hypertension were both denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for reopening her psychiatric disorder claim was granted. The Board will now address the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service or secondary to her hysterectomy.,reasoning_summary

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, social phobia, stimulant use disorder (methamphetamine, other stimulants), and dysthymia. The issues are being remanded due to incomplete VA examination opinions and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have mesothelioma, flat feet, depression or any other mental disorder, or hypertension at any time during or after service. The claim for migraine headaches is remanded as it involves a complex medical matter.