Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnoses. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for left ankle disability prior to October 25, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The reasons are unclear from the record regarding whether the Veteran experiences flare-ups and the extent of additional functional impairment during any such flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms, which were consistent with a 50% disability rating under DC 9434. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also remanded as it is related to his depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, psychosis and psychosocial circumstance, is remanded due to the need for further development regarding his in-service stressors and specific dates of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. The Board also notes that a VA examination is necessary to determine if he has any current psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from September 10, 2013 to December 31, 2014.,For the period from January 1, 2015 to August 29, 2016, the Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The Board found that this level of impairment met the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, anger management, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's low back and right shoulder disabilities may be related to his current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD with sleep disorder and memory loss, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 28, 2012 for the award of a 70 percent rating for panic disorder and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's symptoms had increased in severity to meet the criteria for this rating at the February 28, 2012 VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to have been incurred in service, as the evidence does not rebut the presumption of soundness at entry and shows that it first manifested during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and major depressive disorder have all been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for alcohol dependence as secondary to service-connected depressive disorder due to a lack of evidence showing that the alcohol use disorder is proximately due or aggravated by the service-connected depression.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for depressive disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim. The Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was granted a 50 percent rating from March 25, 2010 to March 30, 2011. The claim for a higher rating beyond this period is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and his participation in a downed aircraft recovery mission during service. The Veteran will need further VA examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and for a new VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and need for clarification on medical issues. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder, are being evaluated in relation to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since November 12, 2019. Prior to that date, the rating was increased from 50 percent.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is now rated at 70 percent, effective from April 8, 2015.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the development sought as part of the February 2019 remand. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to lack of adequate examinations.