Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100% effective September 12, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms more nearly approximated a 100% rating than those noted in her November 2018 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with MDD was denied. The Board found that July 10, 2013 is the earliest effective date allowed for the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent. The issue of an increased rating for lumbar scoliosis with strain is being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and a higher rating for asthma and COPD was denied. Service connection for sinusitis is also denied.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection as it was aggravated by his military service. The claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial rating for a psychiatric disorder was denied prior to December 26, 2018. A 100 percent rating was granted from December 26, 2018 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depression and chondromalacia, left knee was dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that further remand is necessary to address the service connection claims for major depressive disorder and insomnia due to conflicting opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's mental health symptoms are being evaluated again, including whether they represent a separate condition or part of an existing one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (depressive disorder with anxiety distress and flat feet with bilateral plantar fasciitis) preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also still seeking a rating in excess of 20 percent for her left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms had their onset during his active duty service.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is granted as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia, while other claims for increased ratings and effective dates are denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between current psychiatric conditions and active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and TDIU to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The case is now pending again with additional development required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a psychiatric disorder are being reconsidered de novo due to the receipt of relevant official service department records.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 27, 2011 for the grant of service connection for a depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is granted. The Board also remanded claims for TDIU and DEA eligibility due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the earlier effective date decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to her withdrawal request. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, so both were withdrawn.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to non-small cell lung cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's exposure to radiation during service could not be verified and his cause of death was attributed to smoking-related adenocarcinoma.