Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, including an unclear diagnosis from a private psychiatrist and the need for further verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran will be asked to provide more details about his reported events and locations, and a VA psychiatric examination will be arranged.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depression, and diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to unclear reasons for denying his service-connected disabilities and failure to adequately explain why he was not considered unemployable. The appeal period began before a rating increase, so evidence up to one year prior is considered.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, with occupational and social impairment resulting in deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional relevant records, including those from military service, and seek another opinion from a medical professional.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining all relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse was denied. The case is also remanded to schedule an examination for bilateral hearing loss, as the Veteran contends his hearing has worsened.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, is granted. The new private medical evidence supports the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since July 22, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and conflicting medical opinions. The claim will be further developed to determine if PTSD or other psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with unspecified alcohol use disorder and unspecified cannabis use disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded several issues including the rating for erectile dysfunction, hidradenitis suppurativa, and depression due to additional relevant VA medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and development of evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted the Veteran's request to reenter the VA vocational rehabilitation and employment program due to worsening of her service-connected disabilities, particularly her depressive disorder and migraines, which made it impossible for her to continue working as a crime scene agent.

The Board has granted Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as the Veteran's death was due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an unspecified depressive disorder, right and left lower extremity idiopathic neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).