Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected due to its being aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran also receives a TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a right eye injury, sleep apnea, a disorder manifested by vertigo and dizziness, cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent since the effective date of service connection, August 2018. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximate a 50 percent rating than a higher one.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 5, 2009. The rating is granted for the period from March 5, 2009 to August 27, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, TDIU, and increased rating for lumbar spine disability due to incomplete development and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service or service-connected conditions. The hearing loss claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection. The claim for a sleep condition secondary to major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, so his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, teeth grinding, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, back, neck, shoulder, and knee disorders, as well as a skin disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and does not warrant an increase to a higher rating.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent and does not warrant an increase to a higher rating.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent and does not warrant an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and that his currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded the presumption of soundness due to his mental health issues prior to enlistment. However, VA has not met its burden of proving by clear and unmistakable evidence that bipolar disorder pre-existed service. The Board finds a new VA medical opinion is needed to address the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired mental health disability, to include bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's major depression with low back pain is granted a 100% evaluation, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal for TDIU was dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA mental disorders examination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated to determine if a separate or higher rating is warranted on the basis of social effects of his hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to a lack of current diagnoses that meet DSM-V criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and insufficient evidence to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders. The Veteran's mental health symptoms are linked to military service but there is no direct evidence of a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD with anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, panic disorder, alcohol abuse, and cocaine abuse prior to March 4, 2017, as the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 50 percent, but a higher rating of 70 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted a rating of 10% from April 1, 2013 to August 20, 2014. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and major depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.