Depression decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to February 27, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened since the last evaluations, and a new VA examination is needed to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, right and left knee disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations. The Board has remanded the issues of secondary service connection for back disability and bilateral leg disability as well as evaluations in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, 20 percent for each knee instability issue, and 10 percent for each knee limitation of motion issue.

The Veteran's initial rating for somatic symptom and depressive disorder remains at 30 percent, with the case being remanded due to issues related to his service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU due to service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder and anxiety) was denied. The current rating of 70% is maintained, but the Veteran is granted TDIU effective from August 21, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his average impairment in earning capacity due to these conditions is adequately compensated by his current schedular rating.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including recurrent major depressive episodes, depression not otherwise specified, mood disorder, and adjustment disorder. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression was denied. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a total schedular evaluation of 100 percent due to occupational and social impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, along with its associated symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, dementia, ADHD, depression, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction, are all considered service-connected.,Service connection has been granted for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his finally denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. The Board found that the evidence presented raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim and established a nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of verified stressors. The appeal for service connection for psychotic disorder is remanded as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the examination provided.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea, finding that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his military service. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if there is a link between his mental health conditions and his time in the military.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied as it was filed after the July 2005 rating decision, which granted service connection and assigned a September 1, 2004 effective date. The Veteran did not appeal this decision regarding the effective date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depressive disorder, schizophrenia, manic depression, and organic brain syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, as the evidence did not show a current diagnosis of such conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for arthritis of both feet is granted. The initial rating for PTSD with depressive disorder NOS remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation based on TDIU due to his service-connected psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder) for the periods prior to April 28, 2015 and beginning December 1, 2015. For the period from April 28, 2015 to November 30, 2015, the TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to his combined disability rating of 100% for prostate cancer. Beginning December 1, 2015, SMC is granted based on additional service-connected disabilities.