Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including panic disorder and major depressive disorder, are found to be related to service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia and depression have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and malaria have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 24, 2004.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability due to full benefit being granted. The increased rating claims for major depression and bilateral flatfoot prior to February 13, 2020 were denied, while a TDIU was granted effective August 28, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected gouty arthritis and major depressive disorder have resulted in eligibility for specially adapted housing, but not for a special home adaptation grant or financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The Board found that the Veteran has loss of use of his lower extremities due to his service-connected gouty arthritis.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective from the date of this decision. The other issues are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional opinions regarding the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, need for regular aid and attendance, and TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left-ankle disorder, TBI, unspecified ear disorder, and sleep disorder. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headache disability and acquired psychiatric disability (including MDD) are being remanded due to issues with obtaining medical records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA medical opinion addressing both causation and aggravation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, as it is claimed to be secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for left and right foot scars, as well as higher ratings for his hallux valgus conditions and depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including adjustment disorder and depressive disorder, will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of 50% disability for Major Depressive Disorder, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a depressive disorder due to inadequacies in the current etiology opinions. The Veteran's effective date for obstructive sleep apnea is also being remanded.,The Veteran must provide additional evidence or argument regarding his earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shortness of breath is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,An initial rating of 30 percent, prior to August 3, 2019, for unspecified depressive disorder is denied; and a rating of 50 percent, but no higher, since then is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, but has caused significant work and social impairment. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied, while his claim for a compensable disability rating for herpes simplex was granted. The claims for initial ratings for left hip bursitis (limitation of flexion), extension, and abduction were also granted. His claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied.