Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. The Board granted a 70% rating for the period prior to March 11, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, reopening of service connection claims, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, and entitlement to total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded. The reasons for this decision include the need for a new medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left foot plantar fasciitis, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of August 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and anxiety. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder prior to July 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination findings and incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claim for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder, which was previously denied. The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed.,Additionally, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 23, 2014, is also being remanded as there is evidence of unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and his incarceration. The claim will be reconsidered on its merits, including consideration of new evidence and service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a mental health condition (depressive disorder) secondary to his lumbosacral strain have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had continuous symptoms of sleep problems since service, including loud snoring and interrupted breathing, which led to a diagnosis of moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, the Veteran's depressive disorder was related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions. His tinnitus is also found to be related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a VA disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder with major depressive episodes and secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service counseling sessions, current diagnoses, and medical opinions linking his conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and right knee disability due to new evidence being associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and adjustment disorder is denied. The Board found that all of the Veteran’s mental health disability impairments are considered under the current rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder of a depressive disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's MDD with anxiety was denied a higher rating prior to June 11, 2020 due to the severity of her symptoms not meeting the criteria for a 50% rating.,Since June 11, 2020, her MDD with anxiety has been remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a duty to assist error in the November 2018 rating decision. The Veteran's depressive disorder is being reviewed again, along with his PTSD.