Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and seeking an opinion from Dr. E.H.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder and any in-service injury, disease or event. The appellant is requested to provide additional information and evidence.

The Board has remanded two issues: the rating for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious features and service connection for PTSD. Additional VA medical records need to be obtained before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD with MDD, TDIU, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The case was returned to the Board due to a lack of notice to the Veteran’s representative.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left ankle condition, tinnitus, and hypertension, are sufficiently severe to inhibit his ability to obtain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for MDD and for entitlement to a TDIU due to changes in treatment and time since his last examination. Further development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress has been rated at 30 percent from March 14, 2011 to January 29, 2019 and at 50 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with severe recurrent major depression and alcohol use disorder is being remanded for a higher rating, and his TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the inextricability of the issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural issues and to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,New evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. Therefore, these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, left hand disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, or disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's current bilateral elbow disorder is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of such during service. The claim for reopening is denied.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left hand disorder. This claim remains denied on the merits.,New and material evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, but these claims remain denied on the merits.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is related to his service, as there is nexus evidence linking it to service. The claim for reopening is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including verification of stressors and VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran’s right knee has not lacked more than 20 degrees of extension at any time during the appeal period and his lay reports of symptoms are considered along with range-of-motion testing results. Instability of the right knee is rated as 10 percent disabling, but no higher. A separate rating for a meniscal tear is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents and in-service stressors. The VA is also required to schedule a new examination or telehealth interview to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is granted, while her claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's unspecified trauma related disorder with unspecified depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher initial rating. The disability was manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional medical records and a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for service connection and ratings for various conditions are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of PTSD and Depression as they have been granted in a previous rating decision. The claim for an increased rating for psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression; residuals of left foot strain (including arthritis); bilateral hearing loss; and tinnitus require further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.