Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The evidence did not show significant deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, left and right knee arthritis, and a low back disability. However, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new evidence and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding the relationship between his current psychiatric and sleep disability conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, with a combined disability rating of 90 percent for her service-connected conditions. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities preclude all substantially gainful employment due to her migraines and psychiatric disability.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and arthritis of the bilateral arms, hips and legs. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress and marijuana use disorder was reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent effective December 1, 2015. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and alcohol use disorder, was granted a disability rating of 70 percent prior to August 30, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating is denied from August 30, 2017 onwards.

The Board has granted a 50% rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress, effective March 7, 2013. The Veteran's symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neurobehavioral effects, including depression and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need to obtain medical records from 1980 to present.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder, effective June 1, 2019, finding that there was material improvement in her condition and she could function under ordinary conditions of life.

The Veteran's cognitive residuals of a small berry aneurysm, including stroke and depression, are rated at 50 percent from August 10, 2012. His nystagmus is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD, rated at 50% since August 31, 2016, is now rated at 70%, the next higher percentage rating. The decision also grants a temporary TDIU for the period from November 7, 2016 to January 31, 2017.

The Board dismissed the claim of entitlement to a temporary total rating for PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder from November 2012 to December 2012 as it is dependent on the grant of service connection, which was already granted in January 2020.

The Board has decided that the case needs to be returned for further evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, including distinguishing its symptoms from other diagnoses.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. Service connection for PTSD is denied, and the TDIU appeal is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder associated with residuals of a stroke, and has remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings for depressive disorder, impairment of the left thigh, back disability, and left ankle were denied. The Board found that none of the conditions warranted a higher rating based on the evidence provided.