Depression decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, and Adjustment Disorder due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including the relationship between his substance abuse and his condition. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the rating claim.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximated those associated with a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and sleep apnea due to additional development being required. The SMP claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has vacated its decision remanding the claim of major depressive disorder and dismissed it due to a timely post-supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for GERD and left forearm and elbow disability are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are also being remanded as addendum opinions were inadequate.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression is being remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection claim for a sleep disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no new or material evidence was submitted to reopen service connection for PTSD. The issues of rating for various disabilities were also dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and lower back disorder. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of the conditions rather than presumptive or other theories.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression and anxiety and secondary alcohol use disorder, is granted a 100 percent rating.,TDIU was granted effective August 16, 2016. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to this date.,Eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 was denied prior to August 16, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines from May 17, 2017 to May 15, 2018 was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 22, 2010. The Veteran is entitled to attorney fees of 20% of past due benefits from October 22, 2010 to December 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety disorder, are related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for left eye glaucoma and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's PVC disability is rated at 60 percent since March 23, 2020. The TDIU claim is linked to the service-connected PVC and depressive disorder.,An addendum opinion is needed regarding the etiology of any psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to active service or his service-connected PVC disability.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for MDD with GAD and entitlement to TDIU prior to October 25, 2017 were denied by the Board. The decision is based on the Veteran's symptoms not warranting a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as non-compensable from June 22, 2015 to April 22, 2018. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for this period.,For the period after April 22, 2018, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not been rated higher than 40 percent.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not rise to the level required for a 100 percent disability rating due to their severity and frequency.