Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for depression and peripheral and idiopathic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of an earlier claim or entitlement.

All service connection claims have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for left knee disability, blindness in both eyes, psychiatric disabilities, decreased bone density, low back disability, and foot disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and award letters, pay stubs from Puerto Rico Army National Guard service, verify the exact dates of each period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA), and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature, initial onset dates, etiologies, and relationships between the Veteran's disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and need for further development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's service, treatment during his withdrawal from university, and in-service stressor verification.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% and major depressive disorder is rated at 70%. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder and Depression Disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and her military service or any service-connected disabilities. The rating assigned for her depression disorder remains at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include tinnitus, hearing loss, heel pain, ankle pain, knee pain, psychiatric disorders, GERD, stomach condition, headaches, lung condition, sinus condition, and throat condition.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with underlying depression is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, effective September 13, 2005.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected anxiety disorder with underlying depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's major depressive disorder. The Veteran is presumed to have had a preexisting condition, and further clarification is needed on whether this condition was aggravated by service or not.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection for a low back disability and peripheral neuropathy involving the left lower extremity are denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability was restored to a 20 percent rating effective November 1, 2011.,An initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder is granted.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist disability, tinnitus, skin disability, and depression. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The right knee, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), back disability, and neck disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for right knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for left knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain, disc herniation, and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is granted for bilateral shoulder strain as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, Major Depression and Mood Disorder, CAD, and Hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are found to be related to his time in active duty.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and/or anxiety disorder. The Veteran will be provided with all relevant treatment records and must undergo an examination by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 100 percent since March 9, 2010. The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for the entire period under review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD with opioid dependence and depression is rated at a 70 percent disability level since January 6, 2011. He also received a TDIU rating for the entire period on appeal.