Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations and his need for a new examination. The claims are being considered based on any acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, or substance use disorder.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for migraines prior to September 27, 2016 is denied. A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches effective from September 27, 2016 is granted. Effective September 27, 2016, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, is related to his military service. However, due to insufficient evidence provided by the VA examiner in August 2020, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder were rated at 70 percent from June 29, 2010 to April 3, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating from July 29, 2014 to September 30, 2015. A higher rating is not warranted for the period of October 1, 2015 to July 22, 2018, and a 50 percent rating shall be assigned from July 23, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that his conditions are not related to military service. The Board also denied a TDIU rating due to insufficient combined disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression has been reopened. The case is being remanded for a new VA opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected headaches, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to August 7, 2013, and SMC after that date due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's depressive disorder rating remains at 30%, but his TDIU claim is being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA to obtain relevant private treatment records from identified sources.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, MDD, and ADHD due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. An addendum opinion is needed from a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t), which pertains to aid and attendance due to TBI, but the AOJ did not consider this issue in their initial decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating for CAD, scar secondary to CAD, and TDIU due to unavailability of Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted service connection for joint pain/shin splints and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder, which are claimed as service-connected conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these disorders based on in-service stressors related to his brother's death in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) is also granted on a direct basis.