Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent rating, and he is also entitled to TDIU. The tinea rashes claim remains pending as the Veteran was not examined for this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ulcerative colitis and depression, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for ES TDIU.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The increased rating claim for the major depressive disorder remains pending and must be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder), but these claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an exhaustive search for VA medical center records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Disorder was denied. The appeal period is from September 30, 2013 to June [REDACTED], 2016.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD) have been granted. The case is remanded to further develop evidence related to these claims.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depression and TBI, but granted an effective date of January 24, 2016 for the award of a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective January 23, 2019. The other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, but his higher ratings for various disabilities and effective date claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD during the appeal period and insufficient evidence linking any psychiatric disorder to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The right knee and left hip disorders, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI), right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, major depressive disorder, and left rib calcium build-up are all considered new and material evidence has been presented.,A 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle calcaneus fracture is granted effective January 4, 2012. An initial 70 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and bipolar I disorder) is granted from April 29, 2013.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including spondylitic changes of the lumbar spine. The issues of service connection for PTSD and depression are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the veracity of the claimed stressors.

All claims for service connection related to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies have been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The claim for service connection for depression is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence. The claims for service connection for insomnia and TDIU are also remanded as no statement of the case has been issued.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information on the Veteran's ability to function in an occupational environment with respect to his service-connected mental disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorder NOS and anxiety disorder NOS, are granted as service-connected. Dermatitis is also granted as service-connected. Obstructive sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected nose disability is denied. Ratings for residuals of a fractured nose and scars on the right arm are denied.

The Veteran's claims of secondary service connection for depression and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a search for missing service treatment records. The claim for L5-S1 disc herniation with sciatica is also being remanded.