Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The skin rash condition is rated as noncompensable, and the dacryocystitis of the left eye claim has been dismissed due to lack of appeal on the issue of effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for left shoulder condition, frostbite residuals of the left lower extremity, and MDD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, including alcohol abuse, was rated at a maximum of 100 percent prior to November 28, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran’s service-connected conditions, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, contributed to his fatal drug use, which caused his death. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30% rating as of October 18, 2013. Prior to this date, he was rated at 10%. The increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar strain remain denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for left knee mild osteoarthritis and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress as they have been granted in a previous rating decision.,Service connection is granted for chronic sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea, both of which are found to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the April 2018 Supplemental Statement of the Case, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder is being reconsidered.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, MDD, ADHD, and SUD. The Board also found that his left knee disability aggravates his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient stressor verification for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's service in Thailand is confirmed, but additional verification is needed for his claimed Vietnam-related stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate medical examination and the need for additional evidence, including private treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are being considered as secondary to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and polysubstance abuse is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, effective January 26, 2009. From October 16, 2009, he is also granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether symptoms of non-PTSD acquired psychiatric disorders can be distinguished from PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for schizophrenia, manic depression, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and obtaining medical opinions regarding his diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are rated at a 50 percent rating prior to January 11, 2013. From January 11, 2013, the rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hypertension was dismissed.,The Veteran's PTSD was denied a rating in excess of 50 percent from February 1, 2011 to January 26, 2016. A total rating for PTSD was granted starting from January 26, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's claimed stressors were not verified and there was no medical evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 1, 2016 due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective March 21, 2013.,The Veteran is granted TDIU effective July 13, 2009.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and personality disorder are being remanded for further examination to determine if they were preexisting or aggravated by service.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's condition is related to his in-service stressor.