Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 100 percent effective November 25, 2019. The Board has determined that the effective date should be set at November 25, 2018.,Effective November 25, 2018, the Veteran is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU in January 2010, but remanded it. The February 2018 rating decision granted the TDIU based on service-connected conditions, and the RO issued the decision. However, there was no final Board decision on the issue of TDIU before June 20, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5. The Board found that there was no in-service stressor corroborated to establish a nexus between the diagnosed conditions and service.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied because the Veteran's first reported symptoms were decades after service, and there was no evidence of noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle condition and remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression).

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as freestanding claims, which are not permissible under VA regulations.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for depression and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression and anxiety may be related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to confirm this.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) is granted with an effective date of February 29, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for insomnia disorder is denied because the symptoms of his insomnia disorder are already encompassed in his existing service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The case will be reviewed to determine if there is sufficient evidence of a current disability and a link between the claimed stressor in service and any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his daily functioning. The Veteran needs an addendum opinion from a physician to determine if he is substantially confined or requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine disability and his TDIU claim have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to functional loss, and the Veteran was deemed capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service experiences.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder have been reopened, but the merits of these claims are still pending. The Board has ordered new VA examinations to address the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service noise exposure and effectiveness of available hearing protection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and secondary service connection for fibroid tumors/hysterectomy to an acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and inadequate opinions in her VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate statement of reasons or bases in the September 2017 decision, and because additional development is necessary to comply with the terms of the Court's June 2019 Memorandum Decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with adjustment disorder and alcohol use disorder were previously rated at 30 percent prior to September 14, 2019. From that date, the rating was increased to 50 percent.