Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for further review due to new evidence and examinations being added to the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, finding that there is no probative evidence to support the claim and thus denying it.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, COPD, and low back strain due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's contentions of secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is aggravated by his service-connected left ankle and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, GERD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and elevated cholesterol. The remaining issues were remanded.,The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, right lower extremity circulatory disability, left lower extremity circulatory disability, and low back disability.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD from April 24, 2014. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot because the Veteran's PTSD alone already warrants a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The claim for TDIU is remanded due to lack of implementation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification regarding his in-service injuries and stressors. The claims for type II diabetes mellitus, nerve pain in the feet, coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, and hypertension will also be remanded as they may be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted, effective from March 22, 2002.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted as service connected.,Service connection for a bilateral foot condition remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and secondary depressive disorder was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating.,Service connection for sleep apnea was also denied because there is no evidence of its onset during service, it was not related to any other condition or event in service, and there is insufficient medical evidence linking it to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder was denied by the Board, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's attorney is granted an additional 20% of the past-due benefits awarded in a May 2019 rating decision, prior to military retired pay withholding.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to her psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, finding that it is proximately due to and/or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits to pursue a medical career is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous decision and need for further evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorder, are not related to her service in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were caused by her military service.

The Veteran seeks to have the November 2012 and October 2015 rating decisions regarding TDIU overturned due to CUE. The issues are being remanded for further development and adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for GAD and also denied her claim for service connection for an acquired mental disorder other than GAD, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the GAD claim, and determined that there was no causal connection between any current psychiatric condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records and a VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.