Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder was granted with an effective date of November 17, 1997.

The Veteran's MDD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, so a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder prevents her from securing and maintaining gainful employment, granting her TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to issues related to right ear hearing loss and its secondary effects on the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely filed a notice of disagreement regarding his service connection claims for bilateral knee disability, anxiety/depression, and headaches. As such, the appeal is reinstated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for impaired vision in the left eye was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of an in-service event, injury or disease resulting in current impairment.,For the period from January 14, 2008 to October 30, 2011, the Veteran's claim for increased disability rating for conversion reaction was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of an increase in severity during service or since service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine disability and major depressive disorder were denied, with the cervical spine rating remaining at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disease, and headaches due to secondary service-connected conditions. The appeals are considered 'mixed' as some issues have been granted while others remain in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand condition, a right hip condition, and a left hip condition. The lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions were remanded.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric condition including major depression, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding an increased rating for a right hand mass and remanded the issue of an initial higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease is granted service connection, and a 50 percent initial rating for major depressive disorder prior to December 28, 2010 is granted. The issue of an increased rating for major depressive disorder from December 28, 2010 through July 6, 2017 remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including as due to epilepsy and/or seizures, is remanded. The issue of major depressive disorder is also being considered in conjunction with the epilepsy issue.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for equipment purchases and home modifications under the Independent Living Plan through VA’s VR&E program due to his intent to withdraw. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further consideration of his claims, including service connection for parkinsonism and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on his reported symptoms during and after service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD and panic disorder is found to be etiologically related to his service, and the claim for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion to clarify whether the Veteran has a mood disorder or depressive disorder distinct from his PTSD. The issues of service connection for these conditions are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for arrhythmia and heart disability is denied. A 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder is granted, effective from the filing of the claim. The Veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable prior to October 8, 2019, but a 30 percent rating is granted since that date. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.