Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues with the rating assigned for fibromyalgia and TDIU prior to November 30, 2015. The issue of increased evaluation for MDD from May 3, 2005, to November 30, 2015, remains on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at a 70 percent rating prior to July 5, 2018. The Board found that the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity due to flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impairment of short and long term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that low testosterone is not a compensable disability, the anxiety disorder does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the back disability did not warrant an increase to 100%, headaches do not meet criteria for a higher rating, bilateral hearing loss was rated appropriately, and hypertension did not warrant an increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses, their relationship to service, and whether they are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left wrist disability, right wrist disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and night terrors), degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as an upper and lower back condition), left leg disability (claimed as restless leg syndrome), and bilateral foot disability (claimed as flatfeet).,The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. The claims for initial compensable rating for right knee osteoma, service connection for a right knee disorder other than right knee osteoma (specifically, sleep apnea), and service connection for skin disorders, headaches, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for service-connected major depressive disorder have been withdrawn by his attorney.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate examination for service connection of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder with depression and various physical conditions, prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD and GAD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to eczema and other service-connected disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential errors in the initial decision and need for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's left hip disability is denied any increased rating in excess of the current 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a neurological disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not begin during service or are otherwise related to in-service events. The Board noted that there was no evidence of symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions during active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish a link between current psychiatric conditions and military service.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent since March 19, 2018. The Board also granted TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected depression and dermatitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, tinnitus, left wrist disability, and hearing loss in the left ear, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his symptoms started during service.