Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's right hip disability and left hip disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for major depressive disorder, including as due to a service-connected disability. The Veteran needs to be examined to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted as of August 1, 2013. The effective date is based on the reduction in his psychiatric disability rating from 100% to 70%. The Veteran had a permanent total service-connected disability prior to this effective date.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, cannabis use disorder and traumatic brain injury were restored to their previous levels.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and mental health conditions was readjudicated and granted. The claim for alcohol use disorder and polysubstance use disorders remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or related to service. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied due to the lack of any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is also reopened due to new evidence received since the final January 2012 denial.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluation of major depressive disorder and service connection for PTSD due to in-service stressors. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including those related to the Veteran's neck disorder, neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip disorder, sleep apnea, right knee surgical scar, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain with degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, foot disorders (pes planus, metatarsalgia, hammertoes, hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease), and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of depressive disorder with unspecified insomnia is granted, effective from May 6, 2014. The Board also remanded the case to assign an initial rating for the period from May 6, 2014 to May 31, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including additional VA treatment records and a June 2019 VA mental disorders examination. The issues include various disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report did not comply with the remand directives and thus, the Veteran's claim must be remanded for another VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted, and he receives a 30 percent initial rating for PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder prior to June 15, 2017. A higher rating of 70 percent is granted as of June 15, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and a higher rating for low back strain, as well as for unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded due to the need for further development regarding his employment history.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA) from December 17, 2008. The effective date of these awards has been set at this time.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, urinary incontinence, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, depression, and residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI).,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's depression is now rated at 70 percent, effective September 2, 2010. The rating for his hypertension remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen each individual claim.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's low back disability, intervertebral disc syndrome and herniated disc, and obstructive sleep apnea are all found to be related to service. The bipolar disorder is also considered a progression of the previously diagnosed depression.,A rating higher than 70 percent for bipolar disorder (previously characterized as depression) is remanded due to outstanding records.