Depression decisions — 2018

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that October 11, 2012 is the earliest effective date assignable due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal in 2005 based on incorrect information provided by VA.

The Veteran's previously denied skin disorder claim is reopened, and service connection for a lower back disability is granted. Service connection for psychiatric disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for a back disability, heart disability, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diarrhea), acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety, depression, and PTSD), respiratory disability (claimed as breathing problems) to include COPD, left upper quadrant curvilinear calcification (claimed as aortic aneurysm), and enlarged prostate have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including bipolar disorder and depression, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the December 1979 rating decision, which failed to grant service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date is set at April 10, 2018.

The appeals regarding the veteran's depressive disorder and posttraumatic tension headaches have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected major depressive disorder, but more information is needed for a definitive decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of menstrual abnormalities is dismissed. An initial rating of 70 percent, but not higher, for unspecified depressive disorder is granted and a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches is denied.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective from June 18, 2015. The Board finds that the earlier effective date of September 11, 2012 should be granted as it was determined by VA in September 2012 that the Veteran could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected post-traumatic headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the severity and manifestations of his service-connected PTSD, as well as any additional psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the causality and aggravation of the Veteran's headaches by his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression has been rated at 50 percent since the initial claim, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's immediate cause of death was hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease. The Board found that the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of review of relevant medical records and an incomplete examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depression and intermittent explosive disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim, including a diagnosis of PTSD from VA treatment records and statements from the Veteran regarding in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's symptoms began in or are related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided that a remand is required for the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder. The VA medical opinion on this question was found to be inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurocognitive disorder and major depressive disorder are service-connected, as they were incurred during his military service.