Depression decisions — 2020

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is granted.,Service connection for a headache disability, diagnosed as tension headaches, caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection and causation of death.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective May 30, 2014. The criteria for a TDIU were met due to his service-connected back disability and PTSD with depression.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and major depressive disorder), left foot disability, right foot disability, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and melanoma) due to unresolved issues.

The Board has determined that additional information is required to decide the claims for left foot disorder, right leg shin splints, gastrointestinal disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and cervical spine disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding his claimed conditions and lack of development on stressor verification.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD and depressive disorder was dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the request for Social Security records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to September 12, 2019 and from September 19, 2019 was denied. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied as the Veteran had only one service-connected disability (PTSD) rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher, prior to January 13, 2020. The evidence shows significant occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as impaired impulse control, difficulty in establishing effective relationships, and frequent suicidal ideation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is service connected, due to or a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease with multilevel degenerative changes, s/p fusion of L4-L5 lumbar vertebrae and a rating in excess of 70 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (previously claimed as mood disorder claimed as depression under DC 9434).

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder have been rated at 70 percent since January 2, 2019. The appeal has been denied as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent effective June 12, 2012. The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of PTSD and major depressive disorder, requiring further development including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and also denied a TDIU, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and schizoaffective disorder due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spondylosis was denied. The VA granted a 50% rating for insomnia from May 24, 2017 to January 27, 2020.,From January 28, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for insomnia with major depressive disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while the ratings for residuals of a right ankle fracture and MDD were also denied.