Depression decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, finding that there was no competent diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder during the appeal period or in close proximity to it.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, as well as to address his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder and mood disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine was found to have manifested within a year of his final period of active duty, and service connection is granted. The claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, diverticulitis, right kidney cyst, GERD, right foot disability, and left foot disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression), and a lumbar spine disability. The remand includes obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right upper extremity neurological disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remand requires obtaining new medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if an increased rating is warranted. The matter of TDIU has also been remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include claustrophobia, unspecified insomnia disorder, depression, general anxiety disorder, and panic disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left hip condition, right hip condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than unspecified depressive disorder), and sleep apnea due to new evidence or clarification.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to diabetes mellitus type II. The case is returned for further review, including obtaining a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claim for MDD is granted. The claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, and vertigo are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The VA is instructed to attempt to corroborate any in-service stressors, obtain additional treatment records, and provide a comprehensive examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current mental health conditions to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with severe recurrent major depression and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent from December 1, 2019 to present.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD and depressive disorder with possible psychiatric features. The Veteran is required to undergo another examination to determine if he currently has a psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, and his left ring finger disability remains at the maximum schedular rating.