Depression decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria and insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, rated at 50% prior to March 1, 2012, and now granted a 70% rating effective June 30, 2020, is found to meet the criteria for such a rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's reported stressors during service are also being reviewed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and denied his claims for service connection for a right hip disability, hypertension, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal condition, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to August 6, 2004. Ratings in excess of 70 percent were denied for the periods from October 1, 2004 to June 22, 2005 and from October 1, 2005 to January 17, 2006. A rating in excess of 70 percent was also denied for the period from April 1, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, affective disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia, is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for hypertension, prostate cancer, headaches, and other conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and major depressive disorder, have caused him to be unemployable prior to June 23, 2011. The Board has ordered a remand for an addendum medical opinion regarding the impact of his MDD on employment from March 2008 to June 2011, and then referred the case to the VA Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bipolar disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection was withdrawn. Service connection is granted for left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis of the left index finger, and recurrent prostatitis.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent effective August 15, 2016. The hearing loss rating remains unchanged.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for migraine headaches has been increased to a maximum of 50 percent, but only subject to the rules and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The Board also remanded her claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service and granted. The Veteran does not have a current PTSD diagnosis, so the claim for PTSD is denied. Anxiety and depression secondary to dental condition are also denied.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder, effective July 29, 2009. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU since June 29, 2013.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The decision is based on new evidence received since a previous denial that relates to the basis of the prior denial.

The Veteran's depression is part of his service-connected PTSD and already considered in the assigned rating.,Psoriatic arthritis was not shown as chronic during service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established; therefore, it is denied.,COPD was not shown as chronic during service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is also not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to herbicide agents; thus, it is denied.,Carcinoma of the back was not shown as chronic during service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is also not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to herbicide agents; therefore, it is denied.,From May 15, 2008 to April 2, 2010, and from July 9, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. From April 2, 2010 to July 9, 2018, the issue of TDIU is moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are related to his military service. The decision is based on new medical evidence provided by a private physician.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including memory and comprehension difficulties, mental health issues, nightmares, vivid dreams, irritability, anger, anxiety, mood swings, low coping abilities, depression, conflicts, hypervigilance, time lapses, compulsive/impulsive habits, gastrointestinal symptoms, joint aches, muscle fatigue, genital warts, and ear, nose, and throat condition are not service-connected. The Veteran's service-connected conditions account for the majority of his reported symptoms.

The Board has found that remand is warranted for the claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include mood disorder, major depression, and PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and events he witnessed during service are not adequately addressed in the June 2020 VA examination.