Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of proper examination for his service-connected right hip condition, and the need to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, sleep apnea related to depressive disorder, and headaches related to depressive disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent major depression with history of PTSD has rendered him unemployable, as his disability would preclude him from meeting the physical and mental demands necessary for a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has restored service connection for cardiomyopathy with acute renal failure, which was previously severed due to the Veteran's history of substance abuse. The claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of depression or sleep apnea related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 20, 2009 to April 9, 2019. His appeal for TDIU is granted during this period.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and recurrent major depression, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was previously rated at 50% prior to December 13, 2018. Effective from that date, the rating has been increased to 70%. The increase is due to more severe symptoms of isolation and inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depression and sleep condition associated with bladder cancer was rated as 50 percent disabling. The appeal was denied.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction associated with bladder cancer was not granted a compensable rating. The appeal was denied.,The Veteran's bladder cancer, status post radical cystoprostatectomy from April 1, 2015 to include restoration of a 100 percent disability rating was not granted. The appeal was denied.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with depression and sleep condition associated with bladder cancer was granted prior to September 2, 2014. The effective date was denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction associated with bladder cancer was granted prior to November 21, 2011. The effective date was denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Anxiety, and unspecified depressive disorder. The previous opinions were inadequate as they did not consider prior diagnoses or evidence of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

A rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spondylosis is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for prostate cancer is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and LLE and RLE radiculopathy are not granted due to lack of evidence or insufficient evidence.,Entitlement to TDIU is inextricably intertwined with other claims and cannot be decided at this time.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70% effective December 1, 2016.,Effective December 1, 2016, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder prior to February 6, 2020 is granted. A higher rating of 100 percent is denied as the evidence does not show total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD) is granted, as are his claims for headaches and a small finger disability of the right hand. The claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a right leg disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, specifically her claims of military sexual trauma (MST). The case is being returned for further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms, earlier effective date for increase of his depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms, and service connection for hypertension due to secondary service-connected conditions. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, finding that his service-connected PTSD is manifested by complaints of problems with anger and anxiety throughout the appeal period. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep disorder, cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, digestive system condition, bilateral foot condition, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition.