Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gout, depression, and alcoholism claims require additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated based on their severity, with the initial rating of 30% granted in August 2012. The case is being remanded for further review due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and unspecified depressive disorder, as well as for increased ratings for pseudoarthrosis of the right index finger and residual scarring of the right index finger prior to June 26, 2014, were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to outstanding records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and a need for updated VA mental health examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorders. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a maximum 100 percent disability rating, the highest possible rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar and depression) and hypertension, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also found that there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's current diagnoses of bipolar disorder, depression, and hypertension and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 9, 2013 for service connection of hypertension and recurrent major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC). The remaining issues related to his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, hip disabilities, heel disabilities, and cyst on the buttocks are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right-hand disability, left-hand disability, heart disability, and hypertension were denied. The claim for service connection of depressive disorder with anxiety was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a seizure disorder due to new evidence submitted since January 1954. The issue is now remanded for further development.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection of erectile dysfunction, headaches, and depressive disorder as secondary to his seizure disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected Persistent Depressive Disorder and remanded the case for further clarification of evidence regarding her Left Inferior Public Rami Stress Fracture.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's initial schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with insomnia and adjustment disorder (depression) is denied.

The Veteran's scars from his lumbar spine surgeries are well-healed and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the period prior to August 9, 2017, the Veteran’s depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.,Starting from August 9, 2017, the Veteran's depressive disorder warrants a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.,The effective date for service connection for depressive disorder is March 4, 2015. The Veteran has not provided evidence of an earlier claim or intent to apply for benefits prior to this date.,For the period prior to August 9, 2017, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence and incomplete employment history. The Veteran's TDIU claim is being returned for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion that considers her full employment history and the effects of all her service-connected disabilities on her work-related mental functioning.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 50%, 70%, or 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient information on whether the Veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disability are related to service. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, secondary to hepatitis C, are intertwined.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities affecting his lower extremities. However, as he is now eligible for this benefit, the claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disabilities, including whether they are related to service-connected disability or VA treatment.