Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health diagnosis. A new examination is needed to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective March 18, 2019.,Service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches secondary to major depressive disorder is remanded.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction and frequent urination is denied.,Service connection for depression has been granted, but the Veteran's initial compensable rating remains at noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Major Depressive Disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to an inadequate statement of reasons and bases in a previous decision. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is being reviewed, as well as his skin rash condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot condition, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The cases are now remanded to the RO for further development.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD will be reconsidered with a new medical opinion considering his lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 26, 2019 remains before the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and chronic pain syndrome) due to incomplete examination findings and lack of consideration of relevant medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employment status and functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned after further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, a low back condition, a left leg condition, a heart condition, an eye disorder, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is also remanded for a TDIU determination.,The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).,The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The case will be readjudicated after all development is completed.,The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and anorexia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom disorder. The Veteran's condition continues to cause significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and other specified trauma and stressor disorder, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and headache disability are also granted as secondary to the diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because there was no pending claim for TDIU or an increased rating for PTSD prior to the July 27, 2015 application. The effective date of the TDIU grant is set at July 27, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD were rated at 50% prior to January 4, 2016, and denied for a higher rating. For the period between January 4, 2016 and October 9, 2019, the Veteran was granted a 70% rating but still denied for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted effective from the date of receipt of the claim. The Veteran is rated at 100% for his psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran's VA treatment records are incomplete and must be obtained to ensure a complete record.