Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression and alcohol use disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling effective March 17, 2014. The appeal for TDIU was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric condition, to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's major depression, anxious distress, and OCD were rated at a 70 percent since September 5, 2014. Prior to this date, the rating was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and claustrophobia, previously claimed as a nervous condition. The claims are remanded to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder should be remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, an unspecified depressive disorder, and a psychotic disorder is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records from the Orlando Health Care System in 1994. The Veteran must provide authorization for these records to be obtained.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 50 percent from September 23, 2007 to October 9, 2008. From October 9, 2008, the rating remained at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 23, 2016 was rated at 50 percent and now granted a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to present for a scheduled VA examination. Additional development is needed, including scheduling another examination and obtaining all relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for vocal cord atrophy was granted at a 60 percent level. Service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, secondary to his service-connected vocal cord atrophy, was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse disorders were rated at 50 percent prior to February 27, 2017. From August 1, 2017, the rating was increased to 100 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left elbow disability is dismissed.,A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain is granted, effective July 11, 2014.,Effective July 11, 2014, but no earlier, a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for unspecified depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to depression that began during service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, for accrued benefit and substitution purposes, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition, but remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD). The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no credible and verifiable in-service stressor.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale.,For the left knee injury prior to November 25, 2014, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating based on painful motion. After this date, he was granted a 30 percent rating for limitation of extension and a 20 percent rating for meniscal tear.,Major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 9434.,Degenerative disc disease (low back disability) was rated at 40 percent, but not higher due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.,Erectile dysfunction received a non-compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for anxiety disorder (claimed as nervous condition) has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, remains denied.