Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient credible evidence to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and PTSD have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for paranoid schizophrenia, but the claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder became factually ascertainable on June 20, 2013, and the Board grants an effective date of that date for a 100% rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted with a 50% rating prior to October 9, 2014, and a 70% rating as of October 9, 2014. The TDIU claim for unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also granted effective October 9, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information on the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to her service-connected hypopigmentation condition. The Veteran will need a new VA opinion to clarify these issues.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to a disability rating more than 70 percent for major depressive disorder; mood disorder; PTSD; and psychotic disorder not otherwise specified.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent effective October 2, 2015. The grant does not constitute a full grant of the benefits sought as he was seeking a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and diabetes. The Veteran's mood disorder was not found to be related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

Service connection is granted for a recurrent left inguinal hernia, tinea versicolor, atrophy of the left testicle, and PTSD with major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's service records confirm his in-service exposure to hostile military activity, which supports his reported stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as due to personal assault type events in service is remanded. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including but not limited to PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, is also remanded.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 20, 2019 and as 30 percent disabling as of that date. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as Depression and PTSD) and sleep apnea are both remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 31, 2007 for the grant of a TDIU. The issues regarding an increased rating for a right great toe fracture and an earlier effective date remain pending and must be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia were incurred in service. However, his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a more reliable medical opinion regarding her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of Generalized Anxiety Disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a separate diagnosis and therefore, service connection cannot be established.,For his PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, the Veteran received an increased rating to 70 percent effective January 31, 2014. He also received entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD and major depression) was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, as it was less likely than not incurred during or due to active service and is not related to the Veteran's service-connected spine disability and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis are granted service connection. The respiratory disorder (asthma) and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) claims are remanded for further development.