Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's employability prior to October 18, 2019. The Veteran is seeking a TDIU for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with OCD, anxiety and depression was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to service and granted the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and review by the AOJ. The issues of PTSD, hypertension, sleep apnea, and hepatitis C secondary to PTSD are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for hypertension as secondary to major depressive disorder and service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The remand requires an adequate medical opinion regarding both issues.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has been granted a rating of 70 percent prior to December 10, 2015. Additionally, the Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety, depression, memory loss, back problems, and COPD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and insomnia is rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period, indicating total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety) are all currently rated.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU prior to January 12, 2015 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her mental health conditions.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety have caused reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating for the initial rating period from March 1, 2012 to June 11, 2018.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to May 1, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 25, 2018. Beginning January 25, 2018, the disability caused more severe impairment resulting in a higher evaluation of 70 percent.

The Veteran's throat cancer with loss of salivary glands, psychiatric disability (depressive disorder), cognitive disability, autonomic neurological disability (autonomic neuropathy), orthostatic hypotension, and residuals of strokes were not shown to have had their onset in service or within the first post-service year, or to be otherwise related to a disease or injury in service.,VA medical opinions did not support a relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, have been evaluated at a 30 percent rating since May 18, 2012. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a right knee disability. The case is remanded to further develop evidence regarding his right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and Depressive Disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective August 30, 2018.

The Veteran's attorney requested to withdraw the appeal due to a correct calculation of past-due benefits awarded in January 2019, which resolved the issue of additional attorney fees for service connection granted in July 2018.

The Veteran's service connection for depressive disorder was granted with a rating of 50% effective January 13, 2012. The appellant is entitled to attorney fees based on the total past-due benefits awarded in the June 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted, while the initial rating for major depressive disorder (PTSD) has also been granted. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD from February 29, 2012 to June 16, 2014 is rated at 70 percent.,PTSD with MDD was increased to 100 percent effective January 14, 2020. The issue of TDIU remains pending from February 29, 2012 to June 16, 2014 and January 13, 2020.,Diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent.