Depression decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, depression, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and tinnitus. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and potential service connection.

The claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is dismissed.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with chronic Major Depression, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to in-service stressors.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's anxiety was found to be related to non-service events and not due to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder with drug and alcohol dependence. The matter is being returned for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and requires additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record after the SOC and must be considered before a final decision can be made. The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and major depressive disorder are REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive and generalized anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to January 22, 2018. The Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for mixed anxiety depressive disorder has been dismissed as the full benefit sought was granted.,The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for stress fracture of the right tibia with instability and left femur and left tibia stress related phenomena have been denied. The current 20 percent ratings are deemed appropriate based on the evidence of record.,For the periods from October 1, 2012 to February 25, 2016, and April 1, 2016 to October 15, 2018, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated under DC 5003-5260. The current ratings of 10 percent are deemed appropriate based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for internal derangement with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis of the right knee has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia, MDD, and dysthymia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder or Unipolar Disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability separate from his service-connected PTSD.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder, including depression and anxiety; sleep apnea; and headaches. The diagnoses are based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder and any personality disorder. The Veteran's OSA is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to October 31, 2014. The rating was increased to 50 percent from October 31, 2014 to March 10, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, as there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are rated as 50 percent disabling from May 1, 2013. The Board denied a higher rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for depressive disorder with anxious mood (PTSD) is denied as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.,The Veteran's right hypothenar eminence scar does not warrant a compensable disability rating due to lack of other disabling effects not considered under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ataxia cerebellar with diplopia and dysarthria is remanded as the onset date of the condition needs clarification, and authorization to obtain relevant private treatment records is required.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded due to his assertion that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.