Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) did not manifest in active duty service and is not otherwise caused by or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including hypersomnolence with cortical atrophy and microcephaly and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his occupational impact due to his psychiatric disability prevents him from performing gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination and obtaining necessary records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, low self-esteem, major depression, and stress disorder, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The claims for increased ratings of her left knee, right knee, and right shoulder conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected depressive disorder and chronic renal disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for GAD and for a TDIU due to service-connected disability. The remand requires obtaining updated medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim of service connection for depressive disorder was granted and a 30 percent rating assigned, but denied revision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the October 2007 rating decision. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding his lumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, thoracolumbar spine strain, and IBS require additional development due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder (MDD) is denied. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment at any time under appeal.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted an initial increased rating of 50 percent, but the issues regarding service connection for a left ankle condition, right ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral foot condition are remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD with major depressive disorder, is rated at no higher than 50 percent from July 19, 2010, to September 17, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for eczema, a psychiatric disability including depression, Gilbert's disease, and G6PD deficiency. The issues of service connection for Gilbert's disease and G6PD deficiency are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU. The noninitial MDD rating claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, as well as hypertension. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and a need to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 24, 2002 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. For the entire period on appeal (beginning March 15, 2012), the Veteran is rated at a 70 percent disability rating for his major depressive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome with major depressive-like episodes and with anxious distress) as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, migraine headaches, depressive disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and arm, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and arm, prevent her from securing and following any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The decision on these issues will be reconsidered after further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and stimulant use disorder rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 1, 2016.