Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for a panic disorder with major depressive disorder and remanded the issue of rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's neurobehavioral effects, including twitching, skin crawling, jerking, anxiety attacks, headaches, depression, and nervous condition are being remanded for further examination and opinion as the current VA opinions do not address his in-service symptoms or causation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, and major depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to his death. His claim for PTSD with depression was granted, and the issue is no longer in appellate status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria. The issue of service connection for depressive disorder, secondary to left ear hearing loss, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD with depression and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed. The claims for service connection for right knee disability, high cholesterol, and hypertension were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. Service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD), left hip disability, and depression has been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of facial and posterior scalp scars, painful scars on the posterior scalp, and PTSD with depression and anxiety have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions warrant a rating higher than the currently assigned 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was initially rated at 30 percent prior to April 27, 2016. Effective from that date, his rating was increased to 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities because additional development is needed. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, but his TDIU application remains pending as he did not submit the required VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety and depression due to a lack of SPRs and inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety and depression. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, depression, neuropathy of lower extremities, and neuropathy of upper extremities. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicides or other potential causative factors.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 70 percent prior to May 19, 2015, for her service-connected PTSD is dismissed as moot because she has been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities, as well as her request for an increased rating for a back disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is currently rated at 70 percent, but the symptoms do not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected Major Depressive Disorder, Moderate Recurrent with Anxious Distress and PTSD. The claims for CFS, hair loss, headaches, and skin disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an additional acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of such a condition and concluding that any symptoms are related to his already service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a parasitic infection, an increased rating for major depressive disorder, and TDIU have all been denied due to her failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations.