Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizoid personality disorder, major depressive disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder due to incomplete examination reports and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and non-service-connected disabilities. The VA must schedule an examination to assess the severity and permanency of all his disabilities, including their impact on employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's arguments and medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for sleep apnea, as well as the impact of his obesity on his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for depressive disorder and earlier effective dates for cervical spine DDD and lumbar spine strain with DDD are denied. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder; entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD; and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic pharyngitis associated with GERD. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as the current severity of his GERD and pharyngitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the addition of new VA examination and treatment records that were not considered in the previous decision.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and anxiety disability is rated at 70 percent since May 16, 2014. The issue of an increased rating for prostate disability (benign prostatic hypertrophy) remains on appeal.,The Veteran’s right hip arthroplasty scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

An effective date earlier than October 12, 2017, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is denied.,An effective date earlier than January 16, 2015, for the award of service connection for a left knee scar is denied.,An effective date earlier than September 24, 2010, for the award of service connection for a right knee scar is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder has rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

An initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder is granted effective November 15, 2004. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted effective November 1, 2006. The appeals regarding the remaining issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's renal failure is related to his service-connected hypertension, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) has been denied. The Veteran does not have left hand tremors or a current diagnosis of heart disease. His hypertension is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. However, the claim for service connection itself is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 30% prior to September 21, 2014 and 70% thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has granted an increased 100 percent disability rating for the service-connected psychiatric disorder, which includes major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe, generalized anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The decision is based on total occupational and social impairment due to persistent suicidal ideation and multiple suicide attempts.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including lumbar spine, left ankle, and left knee conditions, as well as sleep apnea and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left heel disability and hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder due to possible exposure to herbicide defoliants while serving on Guam. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have asthma or hypertension in service, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,For her headaches, the Veteran's claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine if they were incurred during service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically persistent depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have progressively worsened since then.