Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent for the entire period on appeal, and he has been granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the statutory housebound rate. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, as well as higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, persistent depressive disorder, and restless leg syndrome. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is dismissed as the January 2014 rating decision became final.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for headache disability was reopened due to new evidence indicating a possible link between his current headaches and service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is denied. The Board also finds that the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD, with consideration of an earlier effective date, must be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA records and a VA examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and insomnia with depression secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea, effective from December 31, 2013. The effective date was determined based on evidence showing a diagnosis of sleep apnea prior to the filing of the FDC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's MDD and TDIU claims are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board found that the reduction of SMC payments from the aid and attendance rate to the housebound rate due to hospitalization at government expense was proper, thus denying the appeal for restoration of SMC payments.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety was reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically adjustment disorder with mixed anxious and depressed mood, secondary to his service-connected muscle tension headaches, has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for depression and denied service connection for sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish new and material evidence to reopen the depression claim, and there is no link between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression and psychosis have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for his low back disability has also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) and secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as caused by a service-connected psychiatric disorder and/or service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine. The effective dates have not been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, effective date of service connection for his psychiatric disorder, and initial rating for his psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also being asked to provide medical records related to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, are related to her military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this issue for further evaluation.

The Veteran's major depression is currently rated as 70 percent disabling and denied an increased rating. The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's cold injury residuals of the left and right feet are remanded for further examination to determine if separate ratings are warranted.