Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder and remanded the claim for flat feet.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and an unverified claimed stressor. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered after obtaining missing records, verifying the stressor, and providing a VA mental health examination.

The Veteran's PTSD disability warrants a higher disability rating of 70 percent, effective September 23, 2010.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 21, 1997 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depression disorder. The Veteran's claim was pending and not final at that time due to a misaddressed notification letter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, migraine headaches, insomnia, tinnitus, and vision problems. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence and major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent for the entire appeal period, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, was found to be causally related to the trauma she experienced during active service. As a result, her claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current psychiatric condition and service, as well as the absence of any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressor. The Veteran is also scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is granted.,Service connection for a sleep disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's major depression has been granted a 100 percent rating, effective from the date of receipt of his claim. His erectile dysfunction is also granted a 20 percent rating. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is moot as both conditions are now rated at or above the required level for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, and hepatitis C due to outstanding private treatment records not yet obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective July 27, 2020. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent as his symptoms do not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment required for a higher disability rating. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder and duodenal ulcer) meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to their combined effect on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development, including a need for a new VA examination to identify and discuss the presence or absence of PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder.

The claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70% disability rating since January 9, 2019. A TDIU was also granted from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is currently evaluated at a 70 percent rating for the period prior to October 4, 2018. For the period from October 4, 2018, an increased evaluation in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.