Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's aseptic meningitis residuals are rated at 50% from April 26, 2001.,Persistent depression with insomnia disorder is rated at 70% from February 28, 2005.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran asserts that his sleep disorder is secondary to service-connected major depressive disorder and/or bilateral ankle and back disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and polysubstance abuse, is granted. The Board found credible evidence of the in-service sexual assault that led to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was previously remanded. The Board finds that the issue of TDIU has been raised, and it is now being remanded along with the Veteran’s TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 14, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for a grant of a disability rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder. The other conditions and disabilities were not found to be related to service or warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychological condition (including anxiety and depression). The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for a skin rash and low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on current severity.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to determine if the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability caused or aggravated his left knee and right hip conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 9, 2010 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD/psychological disorder, along with other service-connected disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since April 9, 2010.

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone level, a neurological disability, or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish these conditions as being incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions of tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone level, a neurological disability, and/or an acquired psychiatric disorder to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue, depression and short term memory loss (a medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness) are granted. The right knee disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within the applicable presumptive period. The left knee disorder secondary to the right knee disorder claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for gastritis is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted, while his claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic tonsillitis, bladder dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, and erectile dysfunction are denied.,Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent from June 18, 2014 to January 26, 2016 and the appeal for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent, but the Board found no evidence of total occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than May 2, 2011, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) and establishment of basic eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining information about the Veteran's employment prior to May 2, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not providing a proper statement of reasons or bases for denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Veteran's VA treatment records show he was diagnosed with various psychiatric conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received and the claim seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened.