Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety and depressive disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.

A disability rating higher than 50 percent prior to November 14, 2019, and higher than 70 percent as of that date for major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is denied.,A disability rating of 20 percent effective October 19, 2018 for a lumbar strain is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings and TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the severity of his service-connected disabilities, as well as their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for S-DVI due to pending service connection claims, and instructed that the AOJ should hold the appeal in abeyance until those claims are resolved. The AOJ is also directed to seek further medical explanation from the underwriter regarding the assigned debits for non-service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective November 8, 2010. A TDIU is granted from that date. The Veteran also has a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a 10% rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right leg condition is dismissed as his claim has been resolved by the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeals for bilateral heel disability and major depressive disorder are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and major depressive affective disorder and alcohol use disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to traumatic events.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depressive disorder is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it for further development and examination.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for painful scarring of the right foot, status-post tibial sesamoidectomy was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804. Service connection requests for other conditions were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected headaches and service connection for PTSD due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's reported stressor incidents.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for left wrist disability and service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder due to MST is denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and determination of service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claims for tuberculosis, lumbosacral strain, a skin condition affecting the entire body, and PTSD/Depressive Disorder have been granted. The claim for service connection for tuberculosis was reopened due to new evidence showing exposure during service. Service connection is established for lumbosacral strain and a skin disorder affecting the entire body. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and depressive disorder were also reopened.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and remanded it for further development. The issues of service connection for right hand, left hand disabilities, and sleep apnea have also been remanded.