Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to support his claims of lumbar back disability secondary to leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for GERD is also granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lumbar back disability secondary to leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim. However, the case is remanded as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar strain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as PTSD), and obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for multiple myeloma.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than July 12, 2006, for a grant of service connection for major depressive disorder. The decision was based on the finality of previous decisions and the prohibition against collaterally attacking prior final decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with psychotic features rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 13, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including OCD and somatic disorder, as well as depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. These conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, DJD of the bilateral knees, and bilateral foot calluses and left foot plantar wart were dismissed. The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety and depression.

The Veteran is entitled to the maximum Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) benefits due to his discharge from active duty due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression, NOS resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from February 10, 2009 to May 31, 2016. A 70 percent rating was granted for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD with a history of major depression is rated at 70 percent, effective December 14, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chlamydia is denied, and her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD and major depressive disorder) is granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding a low back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities and physical conditions make her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. However, the claim is remanded as more information is needed regarding her employment status.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 9, 2014. The Board also found that the Veteran was entitled to TDIU from July 9, 2014. However, service connection for a heart disability secondary to his right radial ulnar disability remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from November 12, 2016. The Veteran's depression disability with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent since March 2, 2017 and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board has remanded to obtain additional evidence and a VA examination. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically whether they are related to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 24, 2014. The VA Board has found that a 50 percent rating is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is granted with a 20 percent rating, and the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus is denied. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depressive disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.