Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and depression, was denied because the new evidence submitted did not address the reasons for the previous denial.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression rating was reduced to a noncompensable level, but the Board restored his original 70% rating based on the lack of evidence showing improvement in his condition and the failure to reschedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increase in PTSD with depression, earlier effective date for service connection, and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the knees are all remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ must obtain private treatment records from his mental health provider and arrange for a VA examination for his knee conditions.

The Veteran's depression and insomnia are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of more severe impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder was granted with an effective date of March 25, 2019. The claim was reopened on a completed VA Form 20-0995 submitted within the required timeframe.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination opinions and a failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran must be provided a VA psychiatric examination that reviews his medical history and determines whether he has any current psychiatric disorders related to service.

The Veteran withdrew all remaining issues associated with this appeal, including service connection for loss of balance and increased ratings for various psychiatric and physical disabilities. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination addressing secondary service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's contentions of a personal assault in-service and his service-connected back, neck, or shoulder disabilities are now considered.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are service connected as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,Major depressive disorder is service connected as it began in-service and aggravated by multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, right eye macular pucker, and peripheral nerve disabilities of the lower extremities, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with her work and education background.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected major depressive disorder, recurrent was denied. The initial evaluation prior to July 28, 2020, and the TDIU after that date were also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease, service connection for pinched nerves in the neck, and service connection for pinched nerves in the back have been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including anxiety and depression), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.,Service connection was not granted as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for major depressive disorder has been granted, effective October 15, 2018. The claims for service connection for a back disorder and left knee disorders have been reopened and remanded. The right knee osteoarthritis claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for clarification of his current disability's relation to service. The Veteran is already service connected for an insomnia disorder, but other psychiatric disorders have been diagnosed. The VA needs to obtain service personnel records and provide a medical opinion regarding the onset of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders during service or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a gastrointestinal disability and depression have been granted. The gastrointestinal claim is due to an undiagnosed illness, while the depression claim is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, SMAS, and rhinitis have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran should be provided with an adequate VA examination.