Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and depressive disorder with anxious distress were denied. The rating for allergic rhinitis was granted, but the claim remains on appeal as it is reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional examination and analysis regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, preexisted service or was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The Veteran's symptoms have been evaluated as causing occupational and social impairment but not total impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, excluding PTSD, as there is no current diagnosis of bipolar disorder or chronic depression. The preponderance of evidence does not support these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of depressive disorder and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating or entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran was granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning October 1, 2005. The appeal period began in June 2005 and the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for an award of TDIU during this entire period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and the need for another VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of whether his nonservice-connected depression might be secondary or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective September 17, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing Level II in both ears.,The effective date for service connection of PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety is currently set at December 27, 2006. The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, as no SOC or SSOC was issued in time to be considered under the AMA appeals system.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. He is granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder from April 17, 2017 to the present is granted. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, effective from November 30, 2009. The decision is based on symptoms such as suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, anger outbursts, severe depression, anxiety, and panic.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, IBS, tinnitus, left ankle sprain, and right ear hearing loss, do not render him unemployable as his employment history shows he has been able to maintain some level of education and work experience. The Board finds the evidence does not demonstrate total occupational impairment associated with these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not demonstrate that his service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, thinking, and mood. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DMII and an increased rating for MDD due to pending development.