Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2016 VA examination. The case will be returned for another examination.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a hematological disorder, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and high blood pressure or hypertension, finding that the evidence did not show these disorders were incurred in or related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for persistent insomnia disorder with other specified depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder with panic attacks was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment, but generally functioning satisfactorily.

The Board denied service connection for general anxiety disorder with persistent depression and dysthymia as the evidence did not show a causal relationship to military service.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating and has been unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, including his generalized anxiety disorder with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), back disability, shoulder disability, headache disability, and hemorrhoid disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% disability rating for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a worsened PTSD disability picture until the April 2019 VA examination, and there was no evidence supporting a finding of increased severity one year earlier.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her service-connected PTSD with MDD is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and MDD with anxious distress, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to failure of the Veteran to report to scheduled VA examinations and lack of attempts to reschedule. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, drug abuse, low back disability, spina bifida, and a neurological disorder of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with depressive disorder has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD or a sleep disturbance, to include depression, is denied as there is no probative evidence suggesting a connection between his active duty service and a diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU is granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiology opinions and a need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and depression, are being reviewed to determine if they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to October 29, 2019 and granted a TDIU.,A higher rating for the MDD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, effective from May 21, 2009. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The April 3, 2006 rating decision reduced the Veteran's service-connected depression disability rating from 100% to 50%, finding that there was material improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board has remanded the claims for further examination and opinion regarding service connection, as the March 2019 VA examination is inadequate.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety and depression, but remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to military service.