Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, along with other disabilities, has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment since October 1, 2013. Effective September 16, 2016, the Veteran is eligible for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, back disability, and psychiatric disabilities have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 20% for his right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection due to a lack of current diagnosis for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as a need for additional development on his claim for headaches.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 1, 2010 to April 26, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his MDD was denied, as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. Service connection for hypertension secondary to service-connected MDD was also denied, as there is no evidence that it is related to his service-connected MDD. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The appeal for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed. The case for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show he is unemployable as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for unspecified depressive disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that this rating is appropriate. The Veteran's major depressive disorder was not service connected as secondary to his PTSD. The case is remanded for further development regarding these issues.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the abdomen and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, PTSD, and sleep apnea due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches and right upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The rating for migraine headaches remains at the maximum 50 percent, but a higher rating is denied. Tinnitus is rated at the maximum 10 percent, with no higher rating available. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, with no higher rating available. An earlier effective date for service connection of migraine headaches and tinnitus is denied. Service connection for traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with panic attacks and major depressive disorder due to military sexual trauma, but the issue of service connection for alcohol abuse as secondary to this condition is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition and concluding that his current psychiatric disorders did not clearly and unmistakably preexist his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between his in-service experiences and his current conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service or any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and failure to consider evidence in the record, including the Veteran's complaints of in-service and post-service symptoms. The Court found that the November 2011 VA examiner’s opinion was inadequate as it ignored the Veteran's lay assertions concerning his continuing psychiatric symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor event for PTSD and depression, as well as a need for further examination to address the relationship between service-connected disabilities and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is caused by his service-connected disabilities, and he is granted a 60 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity with partial foot drop with muscle atrophy.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor and a need for further examination to clarify his diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric condition, excluding PTSD.