Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, depression, lumbar spine DJD, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), and condyloma acuminatum due to inconsistencies in medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, began during his active service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The appeals seeking increased ratings for depression, right ankle degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and reopening claims for diabetes mellitus, gout, and left ankle condition have been dismissed.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back condition, bilateral flat feet, and right and left lower leg/foot conditions.

Your bilateral shoulder disorder and low back disorder have been granted service connection. Your neck disorder and depressive disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities) are denied.,The Board has remanded your claims for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, headache disorder, left lower extremity amputation as secondary to service-connected disability, left hip disorder as secondary to service-connected disability, low back disorder, total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU), automobile and other conveyance and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, effective date prior to October 7, 2013 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, and effective date prior to October 7, 2013 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's major depression. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of radiculopathy in either leg.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder and post-concussion syndrome was granted, effective from August 27, 2014. A separate rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for post-concussion syndrome is granted as of January 28, 2019.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of her claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential in-service assault and other medical issues. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric, lumbar spine, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric condition, including as secondary to sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are granted as his diagnosis is related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that her current diagnosis is related to military sexual trauma during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD with depression and anxiety is remanded due to the need to obtain medical records from November 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including unspecified bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, are related to his time in active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is granted as the evidence shows a current disability, in-service symptoms and treatment, and a link between his current condition and service. The Board found that the Veteran's depression was related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea, but denied direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records regarding the Veteran's performance evaluations during his military service, which may provide evidence corroborating his reports of assault and harassment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted from October 18, 2008 through November 17, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The decision is based on the severity of his back strain and depression.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of reopening his PTSD claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right elbow disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, Arnold Chiari Malformation, and headaches. These claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.