Depression decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, finding that the current condition is not causally or etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's history of paranoia and depression since service is considered, but a definitive opinion on its relation to service is needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of depressive disorder related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service in Bosnia and that he experienced actual or threatened death or serious injury. The other claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, from May 24, 2011 to May 15, 2020, is granted an initial 70 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with implanted cardiac pacemaker, unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is manifested by total occupational and social impairment since September 18, 2014. The effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for his depressive disorder has been assigned to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of his back disability, service connection for depression, and TDIU are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations provided.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim, including PTSD, is remanded as there are insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and awarded a rating of 100% effective from January 29, 2015. The earlier effective date claim for residuals of a right hand fracture was denied.

The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder was granted as it is supported by medical evidence and the examiner's opinion.,The claim for lower back condition (claimed as a thoracic back condition) was denied due to lack of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for Persistent Depressive Disorder and denied the claims for PTSD, sleep impairment, lower back disability, right leg disability, and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to unclear pre-service status of his psychiatric disorders and sleep disorder, as well as the need for additional development regarding SSA disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's in-service stressors and post-service mental health issues. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file, and a VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims of hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), and GERD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder, is granted service connection. However, his right knee, left knee, and left hip disabilities are denied as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has experience in non-physical positions and is capable of performing sedentary work.