Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to his symptoms not meeting the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions in the VA examination report and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, including obtaining a VA examination and completing a TDIU application.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is granted, and her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral ankle condition and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to insufficient explanations in the prior decision. The claim for OSA is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines has been granted. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity varicose veins remain denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest possible level of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,PTSD with major depression, panic disorder, and cognitive disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to October 15, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total evaluation based on the need for convalescence following surgical treatment for service-connected coronary artery disease is dismissed as moot.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for Merkel cell carcinoma is dismissed.,The Veteran’s appeals for service connection and increased evaluations related to hypertension, sleep apnea, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's skin disability is granted as service-connected, and his PTSD with depression and degenerative disc disease of the low back are rated at 50% and 40%, respectively. The Veteran’s TDIU claim is denied.,Service connection for a skin disability has been established based on in-service exposure to insect bites.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as there are no medical opinions regarding the etiology or current diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a June 2012 robotic prostatectomy, as further development is needed.

The Board is unable to make a final decision on the Veteran's claim for higher ratings for major depressive disorder because additional development is necessary, including obtaining his private mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD are rated at a 70 percent disability level since November 1, 2015. The TDIU claim is granted from June 4, 2007 to May 11, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD) is denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis and insufficient link between the claimed in-service stressor and current symptoms.,Service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran did not meet all criteria, including credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, cervical degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and bilateral hip disability are all denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the preexisting condition existed prior to service.,The Veteran’s alcohol use disorder is considered a result of his own willful misconduct and was not caused by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to August 26, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain treatment records from the Veteran's Vet Center in Jacksonville, North Carolina.