Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) caused or aggravated his hypertension. The case must be returned for an addendum opinion.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

An effective date of November 10, 2016 for a 100% rating for persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety is granted.,The claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is remanded until the TDIU claim is adjudicated.

The Veteran's depression with PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 1, 2009. He was previously denied a higher rating and his TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective April 17, 2019.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and intermittent episodes of major depressive disorder, is now service-connected. His obstructive sleep apnea has also been granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and personality disorder. The Veteran's symptoms were observed after his discharge from service, and the VA examiner found no link between any current psychiatric condition and his military service.

The Veteran's condition has worsened since the last VA medical opinion, and a new examination is needed to determine his current need for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking his mental health condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied because there is no current diagnosis and the medical records do not indicate an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis and lack of credible evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, with the requirement of regulation of activities not met.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetic retinopathy status post bilateral cataracts removal is remanded as there is no current visual field impairment data provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, anxiety disorder, headaches, sleep apnea, shoulder strain, vertigo, back issues, sciatica, and nerve damage in the upper extremities, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disability for some conditions (e.g., left ear hearing loss) or insufficient symptoms to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to his service or preexisted his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and chronic depression. The decision is based on credible lay assertions of the Veteran and his wife, along with a favorable VA opinion that found the Veteran's account of in-service experiences to be credible.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, thus denying entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues, including an increased rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, service connection for hepatitis B and C, kidney condition, bladder condition, and TDIU. The Veteran's Social Security records are to be obtained, a SOC is needed for the service connection claims, and the Veteran should be provided another opportunity to submit information for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent effective February 5, 1996. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms fall between a 50 and 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA psychiatric evaluation to determine if any current psychiatric disability is etiologically related to active service or any event, disease, or injury during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied service connection for a back disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression or bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially denied for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent from May 28, 1996 through January 13, 2009. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from June 22, 2007 to January 13, 2009.