Depression decisions — 2020

Your claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder has been granted and effective July 17, 2018.,Your claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as secondary to your service-connected major depressive disorder was denied due to lack of evidence showing an increase in severity prior to the date you filed your claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD. The Board found no credible supporting evidence of the in-service stressor that led to the development of PTSD, and concluded there was no current diagnosis of depression separate from PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected heart disability. The appeal was resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and MDD, warrant a rating of 70 percent throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically his lumbosacral spine disability and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his left knee disability, and for an examination to verify in-service stressors and assess any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and granted a TDIU, but the issues of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD from April 14, 2015, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability prior to December 10, 2019, are remanded.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for depression and hypertension resulting from a VA colonoscopy in April 2010, finding that the Veteran's conditions pre-existed the procedure and were not aggravated by it.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression, are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorders. The initial hearing loss evaluation remains denied.

The appeal for sleep apnea is dismissed. A 70% disability rating for PTSD is granted, effective July 2019. TDIU prior to July 15, 2017 is remanded. Appeals for other conditions are also remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his lumbar spine and cervical spine claims. Therefore, these issues must be remanded to allow for further development.

The appeal for the issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for loss of any portion of maxilla is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD with major depression and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inadequate opinions and further development of the record is required for both PTSD and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, with insomnia and depression, is rated at various levels of severity. The Board has ordered remand to obtain an adequate examination and opinion regarding the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee strain with patellar tendinitis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner was asked to address the Veteran’s in-service trauma and behavior during service.