Depression decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance because there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities rendered him bedridden or helpless to the extent he needed regular assistance.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an equipment purchase of an adjustable king or queen size bed and ergonomic chair through the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) program, finding that such purchases were not necessary to achieve his independent living goal.

The Board denied service connection for depression, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling VA examinations and notification. The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining casualty reports from an appropriate service department.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric condition and that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for any form of mood disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's attorney is seeking a different calculation for past-due benefits awarded in the December 2018 rating decision. The case needs to be remanded to ensure full compliance with contested claims procedures and provide the Veteran and his attorney with the contents of their respective submissions.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal except for the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.,The appellant withdrew her appeals regarding bilateral great toe and ankle disabilities, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, arterial reconstruction of the left lower extremity, and depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service or superimposed upon a personality disorder. The Veteran's personality disorders are considered defects and cannot be service connected, but his acquired psychiatric disorders may provide a basis for service connection if they are superimposed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for GERD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to unemployability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for new nexus opinions. The Veteran's hearing loss is not compensable, but his other conditions remain under review.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, low back, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), bilateral hip disability, and bilateral leg disabilities. However, as these conditions are not established by competent medical evidence, service connection itself is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's depressive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of stroke and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between his service-connected conditions and his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD due to MST. The Board has also found that the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his other diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disorder, low back disability, left knee disability, and hearing loss. The RO must conduct new examinations to assess the current severity of these disabilities and issue an SOC regarding the effective dates of the awards.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for varicose veins and major depressive disorder prior to specific dates were denied. A TDIU was granted effective from August 8, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder caused his obesity, which in turn caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes. Service connection was denied for a low back condition and a bilateral knee condition.