Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to March 19, 2016, due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military sexual assault during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and reconsideration of service connection claims, including a gynecological disorder (cervical dysplasia), an upper respiratory condition (COPD), a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder, NOS), and a liver disorder (hepatitis C).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder. The decision finds that the Veteran's depression and anxiety are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of timely substantive appeal for PTSD, but will reconsider the original claim. The Veteran's service records show he had anxiety and depression during his military service.

The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury are currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has denied a higher evaluation. The issue of SMC is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E services, including additional education to pursue a career as a professor or school counselor, is remanded due to the need for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current symptomatology and service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.,The claim for service connection for skin cancer and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to ionizing radiation during service.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is remanded as it may be significantly impacted by a determination on the skin cancer claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.,The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of September 13, 2017 for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the aggravation aspect of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 27, 2020 was rated at 30 percent due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. Since February 27, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent based on reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted with an effective date of March 31, 2017. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred on this date due to his service-connected back pain.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is related to his service, including a conceded in-service stressor of fear of hostile military action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder is related to his active military service and grants this claim.

An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted. The Veteran's entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and other mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The Veteran's PTSD claim is being reviewed again, with a focus on obtaining updated treatment records and conducting a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in a previous VA examination and needs further evaluation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for major depressive disorder, respiratory disorder (including COPD), and left hand disability has been granted. The claims are granted to the extent that they relate to his service-connected disabilities.