Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to a new theory of entitlement that OSA is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. The AOJ must obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing this new theory.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and COPD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with depression and for nonservice-connected pension due to inextricably intertwined issues. The claims will be reviewed after further development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with several conditions but no verified stressor was found to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The examiner concluded that his diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and insomnia, finding that the Veteran's current condition is causally related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions regarding his sinus condition and its relationship to his other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious stress is currently rated at 10% prior to January 15, 2020 and at 30% from August 21, 2014 to January 14, 2020. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for low back strain or major depressive disorder.,The Veteran was service-connected for his conditions under direct criteria, meaning they were not presumed based on a specific exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder, depression, and other specified trauma and stress related disorders. The opinions provided by both private and VA mental health professionals suggest a link between the Veteran’s military service and his current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features was granted service connection. The TDIU claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating since July 28, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and further development is required. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, including anxiety and depression, remains pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including a Major Depressive Disorder and an unspecified Anxiety Disorder, are granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for COPD and alcohol abuse remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected leukemia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for service connected varicocele removal, left scrotum with residual scar and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The issues are being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are granted as they are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression with PTSD and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 100 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, stimulant use disorder, and alcohol use disorder from November 28, 2016, to July 4, 2017, from September 1, 2017, to July 4, 2018, and since August 1, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and cocaine use disorder in full remission, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions are secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression. The Board found that there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the Veteran’s psychiatric disorders preexisted his military service and were not aggravated by it.