Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and TDIU due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent from March 27, 2001 to present. The Board has granted a higher rating for the period of May 11, 2017 to present.

The Board has granted service connection for an Other Specified Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder (claimed as PTSD and MDD), finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, is remanded due to unverified stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD with MDD and ADHD, including her potential schizophrenia symptoms and need for home care aid.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from December 12, 2016 to February 20, 2018 is granted. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to January 15, 2018 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and an unspecified anxiety disorder was granted.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and GERD were also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his major depressive disorder did not pre-exist service and was not aggravated by service. The examiner noted that the depression developed after service and was more likely due to alcohol dependence and other substance abuse issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically depression. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, effective from the date of the decision. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, or mood.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim will be reconsidered with a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder, due to incomplete/inaccurate factual premises regarding the Veteran's claimed active duty service in Vietnam. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and neuropathies were denied as the evidence did not support a link to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and MDD was dismissed as the Veteran, through his authorized representative, requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and an adjustment disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown to be related to service or aggravated by service, and her psychiatric disorders were found to have other origins.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for fibromyalgia, MDD, diabetes mellitus and its related peripheral neuropathies, GERD, OSA, and a foot disorder. The claims are not currently resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's major depressive disorder, which may change based on additional evidence.

The Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at a 70 percent disability rating on and after October 12, 2014. The claim for TDIU has been denied.

The Board has determined that a timely substantive appeal was not received for the December 2016 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's representative argues that his claim should be remanded due to the failure of VA to expand the scope of the PTSD claim under Clemons v. Shinseki, but the Board finds this argument factually and legally incorrect as the appeal did not become final because the Veteran did not perfect his appeal within the required time frame.