Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fibromyalgia, and major depressive disorder have been granted. However, the claim for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a diagnosis.,A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD is granted a 40 percent rating prior to July 30, 2009. The Veteran's MDD is denied any higher than the current 30 percent rating prior to November 4, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder from August 1, 2012 to July 2, 2019 was granted.,The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status are pending and require further development.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to in-service military sexual trauma and his already service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, OSA, jaw disability, and PTSD with acquired psychiatric disorders to include major depressive disorder and OCD have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for his PTSD since February 5, 2014.

The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected traumatic brain injury, service connection for a neck condition, service connection for a neurological impairment of the right upper extremity (CTS), service connection for a neurological impairment of the left upper extremity (CTS), and service connection for hearing impairment are remanded due to additional evidence that may affect these claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. His appeal for an increased rating from March 13, 2019, to 20 percent is also denied. The Veteran's depression has been granted service connection, but no initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent is warranted. A TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities was granted effective December 29, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD with depression), to include anxiety, is granted. The initial rating for service-connected tinnitus remains at 10 percent. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for GERD, finding that it is not related to his in-service gastrointestinal complaints or his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a total right knee replacement from March 1, 2018 is also granted with a 60 percent evaluation. The claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the current rating (10%) is the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. The case is remanded for further adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) and sleep apnea are granted service connection on a secondary basis to his service-connected knee, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran's increased ratings for his knees are remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The claim for TDIU prior to April 25, 2014, was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including depression, and secondary service connection for depression due to liver cancer. The evidence did not support a finding that any psychiatric disorder was incurred in or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, degenerative changes and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with right lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression as secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between the Veteran's in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and anxiety, prior to June 15, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to insufficient response time, and the Veteran still has time to file a substantive appeal or opt-in to the modernized review system.

The Veteran's shin splints and knee issues are restored to a 20% rating, while her right shoulder and left shoulder service connection claims are denied. Her major depressive disorder is granted with TDIU status.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is rated at 70 percent since December 2, 2012. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The issues of hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, partial loss and use of lower extremity, low back pain, right knee pain and stiffness associated with traumatic osteoarthritis of the left knee, anxiety disorder, a pain disorder, and major depressive disorder are being remanded for further development. The denial of service connection for PTSD remains unchanged.