Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 70 percent for mood disorder, PTSD, with major depression is denied. The claims for service connection for Reiter's Syndrome and TDIU as due to service-connected disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and a need for a VA examination to determine if there is a link between the in-service stressor and current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders of schizophrenia and depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his time in active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in service. The Board found no evidence of a preexisting condition and concluded that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from September 12, 2008 to March 13, 2018. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, depression with sleep impairment, and sleep apnea. The claim for hypertension was denied as no additional evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic kidney disease and acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential outstanding SSA disability records, as well as their inextricably intertwined nature.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective August 20, 2012. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was denied. The earlier effective date of the MDD rating based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is remanded, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence on whether his psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and chronic skin condition are related to his military service. The claims will be reviewed again with a focus on determining if these conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded, as well as her claim for TDIU. A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of her depressive disorder and whether she has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder.

The Veteran's mood disorder, previously rated at 50 percent, is now granted a 70 percent rating effective December 10, 2014. Additionally, the Veteran was granted service connection for lichenoid dermatitis and TDIU.,Effective December 10, 2014, the Veteran's mood disorder is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for HIV has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded his claims for a rating increase for major depressive disorder, service connection for HIV, and TDIU.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was initially rated at 10 percent prior to September 27, 2019. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated a 30 percent rating during this period. From September 27, 2019 onwards, the Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for major depressive disorder. The Board did not find sufficient evidence to grant higher ratings in either stage.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue regarding whether a previous denial of service connection for PTSD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The main issues are related to the conditions mentioned.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney bypass, porphyria cutanea tarda, diabetes mellitus, gout, arthritis of the cervical spine, spinal stenosis, and hypertension. The Veteran was granted service connection for a heart disability due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, anxiety, depression).

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and intermittent explosive disorder. The issue of eligibility for treatment an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, is dismissed as the Veteran now has established service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder was denied as the earliest possible effective date is September 22, 2008.