Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of this level.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for kidney cancer is denied.,Service connection for head scar is denied.,Major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder and his TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and an updated VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current depressive symptoms began following his retirement and subsequent isolation. The symptomology attributed to both conditions overlapped significantly.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher disability rating for low back disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD is remanded.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been reopened. The Veteran's current mental health conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired mental health disability is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted, but the case is remanded due to a lack of VA examination regarding the relationship between in-service abuse and current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected left shoulder strain, obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Veteran's left shoulder strain is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development, requiring a new VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims of a higher rating for depressive disorder with TBI, as well as a TDIU prior to June 6, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, are causally related to his active duty service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, memory loss, and depression have been granted ratings of 70 percent each since the period on appeal. The decision does not address any other conditions or issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen her claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence, including VA medical center records and private psychiatric opinions, was submitted since the last final denial in August 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to October 5, 2017, and the Board finds that his symptoms more closely approximate a 70 percent rating. Other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depression disorder is etiologically related to his military service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's mental health disorder claim has been granted, rendering the issue moot.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted as they are related to service-connected conditions.,Advanced dental gingival disease is not a compensable condition eligible for VA compensation.,Service connection for residuals of bladder cancer is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or nexus.,Service connection for residuals of head injury (other than headaches) is denied as there are no current disabilities other than chronic headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The rating for right trapezius muscle disability remains denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with alcohol and drug abuse disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for hepatitis B and C is remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, and memory loss, is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.