Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Major Depressive Disorder, finding an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim. The decision is based on credible supporting evidence that corroborates the Veteran’s allegations of military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error related to the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The RO should attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors and afford him a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The rating reduction to 10 percent for lumbar spine disability was improper, and a 20 percent rating is restored. An effective date prior to April 22, 2019 for the grant of an increased rating of 100 percent for MDD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress (also claimed as PTSD) was denied, and he is still rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial tinnitus rating of 10 percent is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder rating of 50 percent is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's CAD rating of 60 percent is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records to address the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and major depression, is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities, including major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 3, 2014. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC, as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted. The issues of service connection for alcohol abuse as secondary to service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to alcohol abuse and service-connected PTSD are remanded. Service connection for hypertension due to service-connected disabilities (including diabetes mellitus) and herbicide exposure is also remanded. Service connection for a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure is remanded. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder resulted in severe impairment, leading to a grant of an initial 70% rating from October 13, 1988. The effective date for the TDIU was also granted as October 13, 1988.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and depressive disorder are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia as due to an undiagnosed illness is granted. The Board has remanded cases related to PTSD, depression and anxiety, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and fibromyalgia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and residuals, traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need for additional records from his private psychiatric treatment provider.

Service connection granted for PTSD. OSA rated at 50%. Headaches restored to 50% from May 1, 2017 and loss of smell rating restored to 10% from February 1, 2017. Major depressive disorder with TBI remains at 70%, but TBI is separately rated.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his service-connected OSA and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was incurred during his active duty service and grants the claim.