Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding service connection for the cause of death. The Appellant's representative is advised to obtain a medical opinion if they so desire.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected conditions, specifically rhinitis and PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and depression, are related to his military service.

The appeal for a TDIU is dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate this matter as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is granted a 70 percent rating prior to April 4, 2017, reflecting significant impairment in most areas of functioning.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including cervical spine disability, right and left hip disabilities, left wrist and elbow disabilities, psychiatric disability, sleep disability, and gastrointestinal disability. The effective dates for service connection are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for additional development due to the addition of VA treatment records and the need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for TBI with audio and visual hallucinations and depression is denied. A separate noncompensable rating for migraine headaches is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity sciatica.,It is unclear when the increase in severity of these conditions occurred, as the evidence does not provide a clear timeline.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and right and left foot disorders, back disorder, heart disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a current disability for VA purposes for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds the examination adequate as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, finding that it is related to his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pleural disease and major depressive disorder were denied as his disability ratings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 10, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left ankle/foot disability, skin rash, and right eye condition. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left ankle/foot disability, a skin rash, and a right eye condition are all being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of service-connected migraines and PTSD with MDD, opioid use disorder, and TBI residuals because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (depression) and substance abuse are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for residuals of a left foot injury is denied.,An initial rating higher than 10 percent for hypothyroidism is denied.,A rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder is denied.,An effective date prior to June 10, 2010 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), including referral for extraschedular consideration, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including MDD and PTSD, is related to his active service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disability is granted.