Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS have been rated at 70 percent since November 25, 2008. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they primarily include nightmares, avoidance tendencies, mood swings, anger outbursts, impaired impulse control, hypervigilance, chronic sleep impairment, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with secondary anxiety was denied in January 2008, and the effective date of this grant is set at July 5, 2018, when the Veteran submitted an intent to file a claim. The Board found no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, stress and alcohol abuse dependence; mild head trauma with blackout; menorrhagia claimed as vaginal bleeding; lower mouth, swelling; lump on the left side of neck; lump behind the left ear; sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, claimed as nasal congestion; skin trauma and abrasions, right arm; and skin abrasions of the right elbow, bilateral knees and upper back.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder prior to April 26, 2016 was granted. An increased rating of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder beginning April 26, 2016 was denied. The Veteran received an initial compensable rating (10%) for Left Lumbar Radiculopathy and a 40% rating for his Lumbar Strain Disability starting March 2, 2006. Other issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of medical opinions on record.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and her service-connected psychiatric disability. The claims for bilateral foot condition, low back condition, cervical spine condition (right side of neck), right arm condition, and right shoulder condition are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is dismissed. The Board also granted an effective date of December 7, 2010 for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations for various conditions are remanded due to need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding a bilateral hand disability, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) need further development. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and cyclothymic disorder, as well as hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being evaluated further.,The appeal regarding a cervical spine disorder is also remanded due to insufficient medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from a Vet Center, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's acquired psychological disorders.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board also remanded the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically major depressive disorder, has been rated at a 70 percent rating since March 7, 2016. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were met as of July 12, 2010, but not earlier, and granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than September 18, 2018 for PTSD with depression and anxiety, and for a higher rating for CAD. The case is remanded to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected heart disability.

The Board has granted service connection for small lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, major depressive and panic disorder as secondary to these conditions, and a neurogenic bladder disability as secondary to these conditions. The TDIU claim is remanded pending the RO's implementation of the awards.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to inconsistencies in previous opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and depression with alcohol dependency, including its impact on social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are based on in-service stressors and current diagnoses of various mental health conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s tinnitus was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's subjective reports of onset were inconsistent with his contemporaneous treatment records.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of psychiatric disability (including PTSD, MST, substance and alcohol abuse, schizophrenia, and depression) that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.