Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for urinary incontinence related to his service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spinal stenosis with IVDS was denied.,His claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder since August 2, 2013 was also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for service connection on multiple conditions, including enlarged prostate, skin lesions of the hands, bilateral nipple condition, skin lesions of the nose, eczema of the legs, tremors and shaking of the left side of body, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depression.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for major depression, panic disorder, and dysthymic disorder (claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder) is granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder as it had already been granted in a previous rating decision.,Service connection was denied for bilateral knee disability, hypertension, and headaches.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a headache disorder. The Veteran did not have current chronic conditions related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for depression, but the case is remanded to adjudicate a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder are both granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's left knee disability was restored to a 30 percent rating.,An initial rating of 30 percent for Major Depressive Disorder prior to July 6, 2015 was denied. However, from July 6, 2015 onwards, the Veteran received increased ratings up to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, as well as a right knee disability, were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board has decided the claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was previously denied in a final January 2013 rating decision. The Board has now reopened the claim due to new and material evidence, but the issue of whether the condition is related to service remains unresolved.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The remand includes verifying the specific dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) during the Veteran's Air National Guard service from April 1990 to March 2000.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 22, 2008, but not earlier, for the grant of service connection for MDD with PTSD is granted. The Veteran's initial rating for MDD with PTSD is also granted at a 70% level from July 22, 2008, to May 14, 2009, and denied above that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, alcoholism, and a low back disorder due to potential conflicts with the Court’s decision. The VA must obtain SSA records, provide a new VA examination for his back condition, and provide a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as his need for assistance stems primarily from his non-service-connected cyclical vomiting syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with MDD was granted effective from April 7, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran had a psychiatric illness including PTSD and MDD at the time she submitted her application for VA benefits in April 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to May 1, 2014. As of May 1, 2014, the Veteran’s psychiatric diagnoses manifested in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety (claimed as PTSD). The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations of various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The right shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and multiple sclerosis claims are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical records and authorization.