Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression due to a mass shooting incident during liberty in San Diego, California.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate fulfillment of previous remand instructions. The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of frostbite and a psychiatric disability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his active service and has been granted. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending as the in-service stressor must be verified.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that new evidence received after a previous denial supports these claims.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for service-connected depression and anxiety associated with multiple sclerosis was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 13, 2019.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral tinnitus and left hip residuals, with the Board finding that these conditions aggravate his depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional development and consideration of relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, left knee disorder, and depression. However, a remand is required due to the failure to obtain VA treatment records from the Charleston VA Medical Center dated in the 1970s.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA did not obtain adequate VA medical examinations and opinions regarding the potential nexus between the Veteran’s current mental health conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for the left eyebrow scar was denied, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 70 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of this decision. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 40% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his hearing loss, frostbite, depressive disorder, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. As a result, he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety has been granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent. However, his claim for PTSD remains denied.,The Veteran also had a claim for erectile dysfunction that was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran is granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder but denied service connection for PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder preexisted a period of service and was aggravated by a period of service, and there is medical evidence linking current symptoms to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and diabetes-related neuropathy, were denied. The Board found no current disability as claimed in any of these cases.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the remaining issues due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was granted, effective January 26, 2007. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye disorder, and loss of sensation in the feet and fingers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for respiratory disability, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and neurological disorder of bilateral lower extremities due to incomplete medical opinions.