Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to procedural issues and the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD with mild depression has been granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent. The issue of TDIU effective June 25, 2002 has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder is dismissed as the benefit was already granted. The appeal for an increased rating of residuals of partial gastrectomy for ulcer disease is denied, with the current 40 percent rating being upheld. The issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right foot two toes amputation to treatment by the San Juan VA Medical Center from April 2, 2010, to June 3, 2010 is also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations. Effective date issues are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the evaluation issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective February 23, 2011. The Board has granted a higher rating for this condition.

A 30 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to October 11, 2019 is granted.,A higher than 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder from October 11, 2019 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's in-service stressor, which is a key element for establishing service connection. The AOJ needs to secure the Veteran’s complete service personnel records and contact relevant repositories to verify his claimed incident.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 11, 2011 was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for a combined rating of 70% or more due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be proximately related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The scar of the left femur was not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating, and his depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder prior to September 25, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter after that date were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and personality disorder, are being evaluated in light of his service in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination related to the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran claims his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, including physical abuse and knee problems.

The Veteran is granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified neurocognitive disorder was granted a rating of 50 percent prior to October 18, 2019. A higher rating is denied thereafter.,PTSD ratings were granted from October 18, 2019 onwards.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The TDIU claim prior to May 5, 2017 was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being associated with the file and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the onset of these conditions occurred during his military service.