Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for depression should be September 16, 2014. The Veteran's claim was not an initial increase in rating but rather a new non-initial increased disability rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing or following substantial gainful employment, and the Board finds she is not unemployable due to her service-connected conditions.

Effective September 1, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling. The TDIU claim remains pending but granted as of July 2, 2013.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his psychiatric disability was denied. A separate evaluation for posttraumatic tension headaches was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were granted a 70% rating as of December 13, 2016. A TDIU was also granted effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy lower extremities disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,No specific exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with MDD was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim or entitlement to service connection before July 26, 2013.

The Veteran's son, J.L., was rendered incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to a combination of conditions including an intrauterine stroke and Asperger’s syndrome. The Board found that his condition has not improved since childhood.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a causal nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric condition and his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's in-service stressors for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The VA will attempt to verify these stressors through additional requests, including to the JSRRC.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, are service connected.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU prior to August 1, 2014 are being remanded due to procedural issues. The RO must readjudicate these claims after obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, prostate cancer residuals, erectile dysfunction, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder. The Board also found that hypertension is secondary to diabetes and grants service connection for this condition based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to his in-service symptoms. The Veteran is asked to provide information about any private or VA medical providers who have treated him for these disabilities since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is needed to ascertain the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and a heart disorder are remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure and possible verification of in-service events. The Board also finds that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current disorders.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its relationship to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and low back disorder are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), sleep apnea, and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, due to the Veteran's in-service assault. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between the incident and current symptoms.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically severe major depression and depressive disorder. The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and restored it. Service connection for a cervical spine disability and erectile dysfunction is denied.