Depression decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to include anxiety and depression, claimed as a residual of gunshot wound to the left side of the chest. The claim for an initial compensable rating for retained shell fragment, residual of gunshot wound to the left side of the chest is also remanded.

The Veteran's disability rating for major depression was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective July 9, 2009. The reduction is upheld as the evidence showed improvement in his symptoms.

The Veteran's major depression and generalized anxiety disorder prior to July 19, 2017 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board found no evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, NOS is rated at 70 percent effective September 27, 2019. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, and for a secondary service connection opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and service connection for the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's death was related to his service, specifically his presumed herbicide exposure and side effects of medications for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the depression is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, major depressive disorder, coronary artery disease with dyspnea, sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, and residuals of rib fracture.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder are related to active service.,The Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in, and is not otherwise related to, his active service. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as it is not caused or aggravated by the service-connected hyperhidrosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and right leg disability (formerly claimed as right knee disability). The appeals are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she is not so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Veteran's conditions have been granted and he is now receiving a 100% rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. He also receives special monthly compensation based on housebound status and need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the original grants of service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, par cervical region; major depression with mood congruent psychotic features; nummular eczema; headaches; and lumbar strain were based on fraud. As a result, these claims have been severed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD as secondary to prostate cancer was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and that his other diagnosed conditions (major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood) were not related to active duty service or to any service-connected disability. His claim for TDIU was also denied due to the lack of sufficient additional disability to bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and other disabilities. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on these issues because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea or whether it is related to any service-connected disability. Additionally, he needs to provide a statement from his brother regarding his sleep apnea claim.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records should be obtained as they may contain relevant information about his SSA disability claim. The Veteran also needs to provide a statement from his brother regarding his sleep apnea claim.,VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his in-service assault.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's low back disability is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 70 percent from April 10, 2018 to September 23, 2019.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed for the period prior to January 17, 2017 due to his already receiving SMC based on housebound status. The case is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU on behalf of the Veteran from January 17, 2017.