Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive and anxiety disorders with alcohol use disorder are rated at 70 percent since October 22, 2018. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from February 7, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD symptoms began in March 2007, the date of his initial claim. The Board granted an effective date of March 16, 2007 for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability and that any diagnosed conditions are not related to service. The decision also denied service connection for cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol use disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with obsessive compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The decision also denied the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including persistent depressive disorder. The evidence shows that her current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability due to additional development being required. The VA examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether any of the diagnosed disabilities were caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service, including his service-connected low back disability and opioid use disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed in-service events or exposures.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including General Anxiety Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, and Persistent Depressive Disorder, is granted.,Service connection for right hand scars is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has not manifested as total occupational and social impairment, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher initial rating than 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) throughout the appeal period, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are associated with his PTSD and not distinct/separate diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his recurrent major depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep impairment, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence suggesting a possible secondary relationship with service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Further examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as service connected.,His major depressive disorder is found to have been aggravated during his deployment, warranting service connection.,There is no evidence of a kidney disability at any time related to the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis and mild degenerative disc disease of the neck with degenerative arthritis, have been found to aggravate his psychiatric conditions resulting in diagnoses such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and unspecified bipolar disorder. Service connection is granted for these acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent for the period prior to December 17, 2019. For the period beginning December 17, 2019, a higher rating of more than 50 percent is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to November 22, 2019. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and denied basic eligibility to DEA benefits under Chapter 35.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The right elbow disability claim was denied due to lack of in-service injury and no nexus.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death. For the period from July 7, 2010 to September 15, 2010, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Major Depression with anxious distress, and Insomnia disorder as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or a causal relationship to military service.