Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress has made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's request to revise a May 2003 rating decision that granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with an effective date of August 4, 1998. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the original decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia was rated at 30 percent prior to July 25, 2014 and at 70 percent after that date. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,Service connection was not granted for scrotum pain, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle disability, or left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, insomnia, depression, abdominal pain, anxiety, peripheral vascular disease of the left upper extremity, thoracic spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stomach condition, peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right upper extremity, and rash for further development. The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for any complaints or findings related to these conditions. However, he contends that his disabilities were incurred during active duty due to various factors including a motor vehicle accident in 1975.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for mental disorder due to traumatic stress also claimed as anxiety, depression and chronic adjustment disorder is granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than his anxiety disorder, finding that his symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or depression.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for Major Depressive Disorder was granted. The current effective date is August 16, 2019, with a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service and the claim for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's major depression with anxiety and history of stuttering has resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety and depression. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's major depression with generalized anxiety disorder prior to December 20, 2019 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found the disability picture more nearly approximated a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea due to potential pre-existing conditions and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right cervicothoracic pain and tinnitus as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to new evidence being added to the record.

Your initial evaluation for PTSD with major depressive disorder has been fully granted and is now at the maximum level of disability (100%). The appeal is dismissed as your claim is no longer valid.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran was a persistent danger of hurting himself or others during the initial rating period on appeal. The AOJ is instructed to request any police reports and other related documentation concerning alleged violent eruptions with neighbors that resulted in calls to the police, as well as private treatment records for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with depressive disorder NOS and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the combined effects of his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to work.

The Board has found that the remand orders were not substantially complied with and thus requires another remand for a VA contract examiner to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his reported in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to the need to verify a reported stressor and determine its etiology.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected, while his acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.