Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically schizophrenia. The case will be reviewed by a new VA examiner to clarify whether the condition pre-existed service or was aggravated during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for sleep apnea, right hip bursitis, a lumbar spine disability, and a depressive disorder. The appeals are now remanded due to new evidence received since the last final decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board upheld the initial rating decisions, except for granting a separate 10 percent rating for LLE radiculopathy from February 2, 2005 to April 16, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service experiences.

The Board has remanded the case due to missed VA examination and incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than bipolar disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as major depressive disorder, has been denied because the preponderance of evidence does not demonstrate that he has a diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The Board also remanded his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, alcohol use disorder, and a sleep disorder, was found to have manifested with symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment and irritability when not well-rested. The preponderance of the evidence did not support an increased rating beyond 30 percent prior to September 4, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a vision disability, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims. The decision also notes that further development may be needed before the issues can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's cluster headaches have been granted a 50% rating, effective from the date of the decision.,Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate has been granted for the period from July 26, 2016 to August 29, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for GCAWMI, including as part of claims for dizziness and depression.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his service-connected depression and adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 30 percent for depression prior to July 16, 2014; greater than 50 percent from July 16, 2014, until July 12, 2019; and greater than 70 percent since July 12, 2019. The Veteran's depression was rated at a maximum of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a prior VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder and PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, recurrent severe MDD with psychotic features, moderate cannabis use disorder, and moderate alcohol use disorder, due to military sexual trauma. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of her in-service sexual assault, which led to pregnancy and abortion.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ear cholesteatoma, tonsil and adenoid disability, and depression and memory loss due to Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure. The Veteran needs additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, anxiety, and PTSD, due to personal assault. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced military sexual trauma during her service which led to current mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues including service connection for sinusitis, TMJ disorder, bilateral foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for GERD and IBS with inflammatory bowel disease. The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is already rated as part of his TBI.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The right knee pain and acquired psychiatric condition are related to her service-connected back, left knee, and right hip disabilities. Tinnitus is presumed due to in-service noise exposure. Bilateral hearing loss has not been established as a disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of potentially favorable evidence and failure to seek out service treatment records through the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC). The Veteran's in-service stressors need to be verified, and a VA psychological evaluation is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The Veteran's mental health symptoms are believed to have worsened after his deployments in Southwest Asia.