Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination reports and need for additional development regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and adolescent adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is not service-connected as it did not start during service and is not related to his bilateral foot disability.,Major depressive disorder has been established as a result of military service.

The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, requires further examination as no opinion was provided regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and depression have been granted based on the confirmed stressor events during his deployment in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the Board also found that his TDIU claim should be remanded due to lack of examination addressing employment impact.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including right and left leg conditions, neuropathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), hypertension, and a heart condition. The VA is directed to obtain medical records from the South Carolina Department of Corrections and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not show that his symptoms have worsened to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and secondary alcohol use disorder. The cause of the Veteran's death is also granted.

The Board granted an increased rating of 100 percent for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and awarded Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective June 1, 2017. Attorney fees in the amount of 20% of past-due benefits are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not incurred during his active military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and rating determinations. The specific issues are tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as right leg condition), and a psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for HIV, but the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, anxiety, and depression secondary to HIV have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of TDIU due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder and migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 70% rating for PTSD with depression was denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70% for PTSD with depression prior to May 1, 2015, and a rating in excess of 50% thereafter, was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury, including dementia/brain disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and stressors, as well as competent medical opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD and anxiety, due to military sexual trauma. The TDIU claim is remanded as it must be deferred until a disability rating is assigned for the Veteran's service-connected conditions.