Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, OSA, and hypertension due to their aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) as secondary to her major depressive disorder. The case is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete records, particularly from VA Medical Center (VAMC) and private doctors. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and the need for a new VA examination to determine if his psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as there are issues regarding suicidal ideation and its impact on work capacity.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, anxiety, migraines, and allergic rhinitis. His migraines are rated at 30 percent since February 27, 2019, with a maximum of 50 percent for very frequent completely prostrating attacks. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims are remanded due to the grant of a 100% schedular evaluation for major depressive disorder effective February 29, 2020. The TDIU claim is considered moot as he has been awarded a total rating.

The Veteran's psychiatric and hand disabilities have been rated, but the appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has granted the request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims related to sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has determined that the AOJ must take additional steps to ensure it substantially complies with the prior remand directives by obtaining outstanding relevant records and ensuring the medical professional addresses pertinent evidence favorable to the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is granted secondary to their service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent from March 11, 2016 to November 6, 2019, and 100 percent from November 6, 2019. The rating in excess of 50 percent from March 11, 2016 to November 6, 2019 is denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, resulted in total occupational and social impairment as of November 13, 2015. The symptoms included persistent hallucinations, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, disturbance of mood or motivation, and paranoia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorder, eye disorder, arthritis of the cervical spine, right knee, hands, elbows, and right shoulder, as well as urinary problems, are being remanded due to insufficient examination opinions addressing prior findings.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with adjustment disorder is granted a 70 percent evaluation from January 6, 2016 to February 14, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for a VA examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and, if so, its etiology. The increased rating claim for his left inguinal hernia and hydrocelectomy residuals remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability and depressive disorder do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected major depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 70 percent, as the symptoms were all reasonably contemplated by the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for MDD was increased to 70 percent, effective January 1, 2011. The Board also granted TDIU from October 1, 2009.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to another medical condition with depressed features is granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.