Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his reported in-service stressor event.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is granted service connection. His right ear hearing loss is also granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors for PTSD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a psychiatric condition, including Major Depressive Disorder and Schizoaffective Disorder, as well as varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, is now service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability is found to be the proximate cause of his depressive disorder, and thus he has been granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and that his major depressive disorder was not related to military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses from February 15 to February 20, 2013, at Orange Park Medical Center is remanded due to a lack of timely filing and missing records. The matter will be reconsidered based on the applicable provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1728 and 38 C.F.R. §§ 17.120-32.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating is granted, and the appeals for earlier effective date for an increased rating for bilateral cataracts and residuals of a right eye detached retina are dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for service-connected an eye condition (to include bilateral cataracts with detached retina, right eye) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, has been reopened. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for both conditions due to their relationship with his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's TBI with post-concussive headaches was rated at 10 percent from April 14, 2014 to December 20, 2016. From December 21, 2016, the Veteran received a rating of 70 percent for his TBI with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional private treatment records, as well as clarification of diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including recurrent major depressive disorder and PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disorders (ALS and PSP), and acquired psychological disorder (PTSD and depression) due to inadequate rationale in previous VA medical opinions. The claims are now pending again with the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or a link between current symptoms and service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD and strain, OSA, and depressive disorder secondary to service-connected physical disabilities.,The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's left knee DJD and strain, OSA, and depressive disorder are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder with agoraphobia, insomnia disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, persistent depressive disorder with persistent major depressive episode and anxious distress, is granted. Service connection for a left hip condition, lumbar spine condition, TDIU, and dental condition (deterioration of teeth) are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressors during service. The claims are being returned for further development.