Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's MDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board also remanded the cases for further development regarding left and right shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 29, 2011. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and the entitlement to a TDIU prior to June 12, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to April 22, 2017. The Board finds that the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial rating and service connection due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, myocardial bridging, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disability were not incurred in service.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of current disabilities for these conditions at the time of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disability, joint pain in the hands and feet, and depression due to inadequate development of his claims. The RO is instructed to obtain private treatment records from identified providers, VA treatment records, service treatment records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. They are also asked to verify any periods of active duty for training (ACDTURA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a rating of 50% effective August 30, 2018. Prior to this date, the Veteran had a 30% rating.,Service connection for major depressive disorder has been established.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, and no higher rating can be granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be established as there is no evidence of hearing loss in either ear during service or within one year post-service.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in service. The Veteran's current diagnosis predates his military service by several decades.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity cannot be established as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity also cannot be established due to lack of in-service evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period, effective from March 2, 2012. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 1, 2017 has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain. The issues of increased rating for lumbar strain and TDIU are remanded.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress have been rated at 70 percent, effective from August 10, 2019. The Board also granted a TDIU beginning on July 10, 2019.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, were not found to be related to her military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for myopia and astigmatism, thoracolumbar spine disorder, acquired mental disorders (including PTSD), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability (depression and anxiety) and right knee disability have been granted service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records, particularly regarding the Veteran's in-service burn incident and its impact on his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic joint pain, ear disorder (other than tinnitus), hypercholesterolemia, or skin disorder. The claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions during the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's daughter, S.P., was permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 years due to mental and physical defects. The Board granted her recognition as a helpless child for VA purposes.