Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete notification and potential new evidence, as well as the need for a VA examination regarding his mental health conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, is service-connected. The decision also found that the pre-existing condition of a psychiatric disability did not exist before service entrance.

The Board has remanded the claims for traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety condition, severe headaches, left foot condition, right foot condition, intervertebral disk syndrome (claimed as low back problems), left hip problems, and right knee condition due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and mood disorders with anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a response from the Veteran regarding any private medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and lumbar spine disability have been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the applications remain denied. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran's coronary artery disease remains rated at 60% and hypertension at 10%. These ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from May 4, 2009 to April 16, 2019. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from May 4, 2009 to April 16, 2019. From April 16, 2019, a total schedular rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin cancer, an eye disability, PTSD, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also remanded as it involves a mental health condition that may be related to his claimed skin disability.,The Board has not addressed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability due to 38 U.S.C. § 1151, which was referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, penile conditions, and depression, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic lymphocyte leukemia disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and depression). The claim for the psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new evidence of in-service stressors. However, the Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded three issues: PTSD with major depression, dementia, and alcohol abuse; post laminectomy syndrome, status post lumbar laminectomy and diskectomy; and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran needs to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations for his psychiatric disorder and spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and entitlement to a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, a bilateral foot disorder, a right inguinal hernia, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on tinea pedis and post-surgical scarring have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on bilateral hallux valgus to include on an extraschedular basis have been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran’s headaches are related to his service-connected tinnitus and whether they have been aggravated by it.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran experienced military sexual trauma during service and if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other psychiatric disability as a result of that stressor.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease has been granted, along with service connection for fibromyalgia, acquired psychiatric disability (mood disorder and unspecified depressive disorder), bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity arthropathy, left lower extremity arthropathy, and chronic pain.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded due to the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to determine a rating in excess of 50 percent for depression prior to November 15, 2016. The issues regarding effective dates for SMC, TDIU, and DEA are also remanded as they may be impacted by the outcome of the rating issue.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a remand for further adjudication of his TDIU claim. The initial rating decision grants an increased rating to 70 percent for depressive disorder.