Depression decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and has determined that new evidence supports this reopening. However, the Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) as there is no diagnosis of these conditions under DSM-V criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to clarify the Veteran's employment status and assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorders have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to October 28, 2015 was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 30 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD from October 28, 2015 was also denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 50 percent.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he withdrew his request.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep disorder is denied as the objective medical evidence does not show that his sleep disorder was caused by an event, injury, or illness during active service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) has been rated at 70 percent since June 1, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms meet or approximate total occupational and social impairment.

An initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of claim on May 20, 2008. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for burial benefits due to lack of evidence of an original or reopened claim for compensation.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding other potential causes of the Veteran's depression.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is currently rated at 70 percent since September 17, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's initial evaluation of 50 percent for depression from March 23, 2012 to August 9, 2017 is granted. The appeal for an increased rating for depression beyond this period is denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for hypertension has been granted. The claims for service connection of asthma and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD, depression, and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The evidence did not show that these conditions alone rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate and total disability rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was established on March 26, 2012, when he received a TDIU rating. The Board found that the effective date could not precede this date due to the permanent and total disability requirement.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and major depressive disorder. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded, and the TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, and a scar from heart surgery are inextricably intertwined due to the overlap between PTSD and the other conditions. As such, these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records, new examinations, and additional information regarding his employment.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away during the pendency of your claim.