Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective June 24, 2011. The Veteran’s lumbar strain is granted a 40 percent disability rating, also effective June 24, 2011. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU remains denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's eligibility for VR&E services, including pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology or Social Work. The AOJ must obtain all relevant records and arrange for a vocational rehabilitation evaluation.

The Veteran's private medical records show a PTSD diagnosis in 2009 and 2010, but the VA examination did not address these prior diagnoses. The Board finds the examination inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that the criteria were met on October 16, 2014. The Veteran was granted service connection and a TDIU award at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, are not related to service. The claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a nexus between any in-service stressors and his current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service, particularly her in-service sexual trauma.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of death due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of a clear rationale in the previous VA opinion. The Veteran's cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest due to renal failure and hypertension, but there is uncertainty about whether his psychiatric condition contributed to these issues.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for Major Depressive Disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to unclear evidence regarding the severity of MDD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder was denied since October 16, 2019. He is currently rated at 70 percent for these conditions effective from October 16, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of compliance with previous instructions regarding a VA examination. The Veteran is entitled to an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorders) has been reduced from 70% to 50%. The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's gout is granted with an initial rating of 60 percent, effective April 1, 2016. Other service connection claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hand condition, ankle disorder, and major depression, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 13, 2013. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and/or bipolar disorder, related to his left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD, has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims and concluded that there is sufficient credible supporting evidence to establish the in-service stressor as the proximate cause of the current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, migraine headaches, and TDIU are dismissed as the claims have been fully resolved. The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis is denied due to lack of a medical link between current condition and in-service tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and needs a new one with a different examiner.