Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder and left inferior pubic ramus stress fracture were not granted increased ratings, with the exception of a 10 percent rating for the stress fracture. The Veteran was denied TDIU prior to May 3, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand condition, back condition, neck condition, left arm condition, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches have been denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts in verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors and incomplete VA examinations. The claim will be reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the pending determination of a disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with symptoms of depression and other acquired psychiatric disabilities. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, diabetes mellitus (Type II), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to October 29, 2018, and thereafter is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new mental health examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and/or anxiety, is related to the Veteran's service or caused by his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity and depression have been reopened, but the Board has not decided whether these conditions are related to his service-connected right heel disability. The rating for his right heel disability remains remanded.,The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The appeal regarding service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed.,TDIU for the period prior to July 2, 2012 is granted. SMC based on statutory housebound status under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) for the period beginning September 15, 2014, and no earlier, is granted.,The issue of TDIU for the period prior to July 2, 2012 is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his major depressive disorder or anxiety disorder and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease of the spine from May 31, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for gastric ulcer was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder (recurrent) previously rated as depressive reaction was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and COPD are all granted. The Veteran is also granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 4, 2015, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and for increased evaluations for her PTSD and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but dismissed the claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person and/or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and TBI with central vertigo are granted at a 70 percent rating from January 4, 2011 to April 2, 2014. A separate 70 percent rating is also granted after April 2, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and right foot drop have been remanded due to the need for new examinations.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot drop is also remanded as it may be related to an in-service football injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is granted as service connection due to in-service military sexual trauma (MST).