Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 25, 2014.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on her service-connected MDD.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that the new evidence submitted since the last denial was cumulative and did not provide a basis to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, residuals of heat stroke, anxiety/depression, and Crohn’s disease due to lack of service treatment records and need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for various conditions, including hypertension, nasal disability, chronic epididymitis, psychomotor epilepsy, bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction, deviated nasal septum, bilateral hallux rigidus, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, anxiety disorder NOS, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection have also been granted for right ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, arthritis, left ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, osteochondritis dissecans, and arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 12, 2009 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder. The appeal is also remanded for a determination on the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, schizophrenia, and depression. The Veteran's hearing was found not to meet the criteria for a VA compensable disability. His psychiatric conditions are considered to be related to his willful misconduct during service.,Service connection for alcohol and/or substance abuse dependence (secondary to an acquired psychiatric condition) is denied as it is considered willful misconduct.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Veteran's claimed psychiatric symptoms were not found during the VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending and will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for right patellofemoral syndrome and a request for an earlier effective date for service connection. The Board has determined that the issues are remanded.

Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,A rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for service-connected anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder is granted effective December 8, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to care for himself, despite his reported needs. The Board finds that he does not require personal assistance from others.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, TBI, and depression due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service records did not show any head injury or concussion on May 14, 2011, when the Veteran sustained a tibia fracture. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his headaches and TBI onset were inconsistent.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, and a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of his right knee meniscectomy is granted. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings on his right knee patellofemoral syndrome remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and OSA, but the TDIU claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include hypertension, liver disability, gastroenteritis, gout, arthralgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective February 1, 2013. The case is remanded for additional evidence regarding marginal employment between December 21, 2011 and June 4, 2012.

The Veteran's asthma and chronic migraine headaches have been granted service connection. The right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, lumbar-sacral strain, and right knee patella-femoral syndrome issues are remanded for further examination and rating determinations. The major depressive disorder issue has been fully resolved with a grant of higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of December 28, 1993, for service connection of major depressive disorder and PTSD is granted. The appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for the acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective February 23, 2017.,The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as eating disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder) due to incomplete development of evidence.