Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, neurogenic bladder, and depressive disorder have been reopened. The new evidence supports the reopening of these claims.,Service connection has not been established for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, or sleep apnea.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder (MDD) was granted, with an effective date of February 23, 2017. The MDD rating was increased to 50% in September 2017 and then to 100% on October 4, 2019.,Prior to October 4, 2019, the Veteran met the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected MDD. After October 4, 2019, when he was granted a 100% rating for MDD, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and persistent depressive disorder are remanded due to inadequate opinions in the original VA examinations. The Board requests additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for various conditions. The effective dates are not specified as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder with anxiety to include bipolar disorder. The claims for reopening of service connection for congestive heart failure and kidney failure have been granted due to new evidence submitted after the March 2015 denial. However, the Board has denied the secondary service connection claims as there is no established in-service event or injury for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not related to military service or noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for recognition of J.H. III as the helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18 is being remanded because further development, including a VA medical opinion, is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for updated VA medical records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine if she currently suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the appeals for depression, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, but the TDIU issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is related to his service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are related to secondary service connection based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the staged ratings of his service-connected disabilities and the need for an extraschedular review.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for depression, entitlement to SMC by reason of being housebound, and TDIU prior to March 26, 2014 are remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board will refer his claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status and need for aid and attendance due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and uncompleted tasks.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Major Depressive Disorder was granted. The skin condition claim is pending and requires further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is rated at a 70 percent rating from November 14, 2008 to November 19, 2019. The Veteran also received TDIU and DEA eligibility effective November 14, 2008.

The Board has found that there are issues regarding direct service connection and aggravation for PTSD, anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder. These issues have been remanded to the AOJ for further development.