Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether the Veteran should be granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 24, 2017, due to his service-connected PTSD and other mental health conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in a 70 percent disability rating since September 2, 2016. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's inability to maintain substantial gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of depression separate from his PTSD, and that the symptoms associated with his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, including his conceded stressor.

The Veteran's MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from June 16, 2016 to October 30, 2018. He was granted a 50 percent rating for this period.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, but granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety.,Secondary service connection was granted for the Veteran's left knee disability as it is related to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to TBI, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service or TBI.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety, is denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown by VA standards.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiology opinions for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The case will be returned after further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms sufficient to warrant a higher rating, such as suicidal or homicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, intermittent illogical speech, near continuous panic, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance, or an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to February 21, 2020.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder was granted at a 50 percent level, effective August 7, 2009. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The issue of entitlement to individual unemployability is also remanded as it may be significantly impacted by the outcome of the major depressive disorder claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with sleep impairment (now claimed as depression and previously claimed as PTSD) aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, but both cases are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's GAD with MDD is rated at 50 percent, and her TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left great toe condition and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety and insomnia).

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder was denied, with the Board finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 70 percent prior to October 15, 2018. The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 70 percent since then.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depression, finding that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM criteria. The Veteran's post-service treatment records show no current symptoms of depression or PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective January 1, 2020. The initial rating claims for knee and back disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.