Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling from August 26, 2010 to January 25, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted, with a remand for further development of his peripheral vestibular disorder and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis with nasal polyps and eustachian tube dysfunction, and variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders (including dysthymia and adjustment disorder). Service connection was denied for deviated nasal septum.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the February 2018 rating decision that continued a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of TBI, as there was too much overlap between the TBI symptoms and those of the diagnosed psychiatric disability. The Veteran's condition is now rated as major depressive disorder with anxiety features.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist condition was denied, and the appeal is dismissed.,Service connection for a back condition has been reopened due to new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran’s back condition was aggravated by his service-connected knee disability.,Service connection for psoriasis has been granted as it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his right knee disability and psychiatric conditions.,The claim for service connection for arthritis (secondary to right knee disability) is remanded. The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the arthritis is a progression of the service-connected right knee condition.,Service connection for a psychiatric condition (depression) has been granted as it is at least as likely as not aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his right knee disability and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety due to incomplete development of evidence regarding in-service stressors. The Veteran's representative asserts that he did not receive a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors during service. The VA needs to obtain deck logs from the U.S.S. George Washington for the years 2002 and January-July 2004 to verify the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on a schedular basis from June 21, 2013 due to his service-connected right knee disability and PTSD with depression.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depression from June 8, 2019 is remanded. The issue of a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 21, 2013 is also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 21, 2013 is referred to the Director, Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for ischemic heart disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), anxiety, and depression, and a lung disability.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinions are not in compliance with prior remand instructions and requires additional examination to determine if the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties due to a lack of current diagnosis. The claim for increased rating for lumbar spine disability was remanded.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to non-compliance with the Board’s previous directives.

Service connection for memory loss is denied. A rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for depression is granted effective August 20, 2012. The claims for increased ratings for left hip osteoarthritis with limited extension, left knee chondromalacia, radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unemployable by reason of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, left hand and right hand disorders, and left knee disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection have not been properly adjudicated and requires further development.