Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (Depressive Disorder, Fibromyalgia, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome) prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The decision grants TDIU.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified trauma-stressor related disorder and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dementia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic adjustment disorder.,There is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent from July 6, 2010 to August 8, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder is dismissed as moot. The issue of entitlement to TDIU from December 2, 2016, is also dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for the disability. However, the issue of TDIU prior to December 2, 2016, remains unresolved and is not addressed further in this decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and pension benefits were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent from April 8, 2018 to August 20, 2019 and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent since August 20, 2019 and denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for increased ratings of persistent depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for additional VA examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, and he is now rated at 30% for unspecified depressive disorder.,The effective date of the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is set to April 5, 2017. The Veteran's initial disability rating for unspecified depressive disorder remains at 30%, but a higher 70% rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased evaluation of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability prior to May 25, 2018 is remanded.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his depressive disorder is denied. The Board also granted the Veteran's TDIU claim, finding that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for depression, bilateral foot disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and hidradenitis suppurativa was granted. The claim for a higher rating for fibromyalgia remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new, relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records being added to his case file. The AOJ is required to review these records and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted with consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD) encompasses the symptoms of stress, sleep disturbances, memory loss, fatigue, chest pain and anxiety, and phobias. Service connection for these conditions is denied as they are considered part of MDD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder was found to have resulted in functional impairment which more closely approximates the symptoms associated with a 50 percent rating. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran's assertions suggest these conditions may be related to her active service or service-connected disabilities.