Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs further evaluation of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the timeliness of his substantive appeal is granted, and the underlying claim for service connection is reinstated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but due to an identified duty to assist error, his claim is remanded to obtain additional records that may impact the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is rated at a 30 percent disability rating from March 17, 2016 to June 11, 2020. The symptoms are such that the Veteran experiences occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms during service and current diagnosis of a mental disorder are noted, but the VA examiner did not provide a nexus opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed depressive disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified psychotic disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (claimed as PTSD), finding that his current mental health conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 19, 2009 to April 30, 2009 and from April 29, 2010 to August 2, 2011. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 19, 2009 and from May 1, 2009 to April 28, 2010 is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 19, 2009 and from May 1, 2009 to April 28, 2010. The decision is based on the established policy of VA that all Veterans who are individually unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of service-connected disabilities shall be rated totally disabled.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions on whether the Veteran's asthma is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder with psychotic features. The case needs further clarification from a pulmonologist.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether it was incurred during service. The TDIU claim will be remanded.

The Veteran's heart disease with heart attack and anxiety and depressive disorder were denied. The claim for an increased rating for the service-connected anxiety and depressive disorder was granted, but only effective from May 18, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to further development being required, including obtaining comprehensive medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's right knee laxity and major depressive disorder have been rated based on their current severity, with no changes in ratings.,The Veteran’s left shoulder scar, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and TDIU prior to November 28, 2018 are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The issues include right hip disability, related knee and ankle conditions, depression and anxiety secondary to the hip condition, and IBS secondary to the hip condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his service connection for major depressive disorder and ischemic heart disease, as well as his claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, other specified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's diagnoses were not found to be related to his military service.,Increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity were also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD with major depression and TDIU due to a lack of development, specifically obtaining SSA records relevant to his disability benefits claim.

The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status was granted effective February 26, 2015. The Board denied an earlier effective date.