Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates related to her knee conditions and depression. The issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder have caused total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating. The Board has also granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 5, 2015 for a 100 percent evaluation established for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and symptoms of anxious distress is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's work history and specific periods of increased or decreased impairment related to his PTSD. The issues regarding ratings for depressive disorder and PTSD, as well as TDIU prior to October 22, 2018, are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as they have no jurisdiction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, needs further examination and evidence to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder with panic features, which is related to military sexual trauma (MST) during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, characterized as anxiety disorder and depression, was granted a rating of 70 percent prior to March 23, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional medical examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder (MDD). The evidence received since the February 2011 rating decision is not material.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition characterized by depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss. The rating assigned is noncompensable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, sciatic nerve disorder, left and right knee disabilities, left and right hip disabilities, and lower extremity radiculopathies. The primary basis for denial is that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased ratings of dizziness, headaches, major depressive disorder, and a fractured right lower rib. The claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his active duty service. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development as a result of an August 2019 Joint Motion for Partial Remand. The Veteran is seeking service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD and a respiratory disorder, to include as due to asbestos exposure. A new VA examination is required to address the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disorders did not onset during service and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II to include as due to herbicide exposure and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than depressive disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder) are both remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's major depressive disorder. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion from a psychiatrist.