Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depression Disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment. The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 14, 2015 for a 70% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination records and treatment history, which are necessary for an accurate determination of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be further evaluated after these records have been obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran submitted new and material evidence concerning a diagnosis of anxiety and single incident major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her psychiatric disability is granted, and the case is remanded to determine if she is entitled to an increased rating.,Service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to service-connected rhabdomyolysis is granted. The case is also remanded to assess whether the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating.

The Board dismissed all appeals because the Veteran's representative requested that all pending appeals be withdrawn prior to a decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 21, 2013 for a 100% rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorders should be remanded due to incomplete records and need for further review.

The reduction of the rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 60% effective August 1, 2016 was proper.,Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50% for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is denied.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent prior to October 26, 2017 and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since its effective date of May 30, 2002. The Board grants extraschedular TDIU effective May 30, 2002.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including additional VA examinations and clarifying medical opinions. The Veteran's claims are related to his military service but the evidence is insufficient to establish a direct link between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, claimed as chronic motion sickness and dizziness, on a schedular basis is denied. The claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder prior to June 5, 2017, and thereafter, is also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and a skin disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disabilities present during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities, depression, and audiological disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, MDD, and Insomnia is reopened. The appeal is granted in part.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and therefore he cannot be granted service connection for the cause of his death. Additionally, he did not meet the criteria to receive burial benefits as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for arthritis of the right thumb was reopened and granted service connection. An initial rating of 20% is assigned for scars of the left ankle, left knee, and right wrist.,Service connection for depressive disorder is granted with an effective date of September 17, 2016.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 24, 2017. After that date, the rating remains at 70 percent as there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, as well as hypertension, are granted. The claim for hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA disability criteria.