Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder caused by service-connected disabilities, including left knee disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability. A 10 percent rating is granted for the left knee disability effective March 29, 2016.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine DDD. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to incomplete records and need for additional information regarding employment status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C on a direct basis and remanded the issues of secondary service connection for hepatitis C, skin disorder due to herbicide exposure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, GERD, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for this level of disability. The decision also notes that the Veteran's suicidal ideation and inability to establish effective relationships support this rating.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition is secondary to his service-connected right great toe disability. The TDIU and SMC claims are granted based on the Veteran’s service-connected lumbosacral strain and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is rated at 100 percent effective June 30, 2014. Effective August 30, 2016, the Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and an unspecified psychosocial circumstance. The Veteran's service records indicate he reported symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability and an increased rating for major depressive disorder were both denied by the Board. The decision found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors for PTSD. Further development is needed, including verifying alleged incidents and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to the need for clarification by a VA examiner regarding the nature and cause of any current mental health conditions, including schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are granted a 70 percent rating, effective February 26, 2019. Other issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's personality disorder was not related to his service and that any diagnosed conditions were part of his personality disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a below-the-knee amputation and multiple joint issues, have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has ordered further development to determine if these conditions meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of major depressive disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and low back disability have been denied as there is no indication that the Veteran wished to file a claim prior to September 7, 2012, June 26, 2012, or June 26, 2012 respectively.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied as the prior rating decision implicitly denied these conditions when granting a higher rating for his low back disability.