Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD. The case is being returned due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for obesity as it is not a disease or injury for which service connection may be established. The case was remanded for further action on the psychiatric disability claims.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for major depressive disorder from 50% to 70%, effective May 13, 2016. The TDIU claim is granted. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depressive disorder with PTSD and MST, is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety/depressive disorders, are deemed to have been incurred in service due to his active duty as a fire controlman during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Board has ordered remand for further examination and opinion regarding the onset of these conditions.

The Board has determined that more information is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, sickle cell trait, back disability, hip disability, knee disability, loss of use of bilateral lower extremities, TDIU, and DEA.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, depression NOS, and alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with depressive disorder was denied. A TDIU was granted, but the March 2014 Notice of Disagreement regarding an earlier effective date for the increased rating was not timely filed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and MDD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of missing records. The VA will determine if his conditions are related to his military service, including exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder with recurrent anxiety and a panic disorder without agoraphobia is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and an increased rating for seizure disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. This rating reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities, including seeking an effective date earlier than October 5, 2015, for PTSD and addressing whether Major Depression was severed in the October 2015 rating decision. The issues also include seeking increased initial evaluations for PTSD with depression.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD as a result of service and whether any other acquired psychiatric disability is causally related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and conflicting opinions. The issues include tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatica, right lower extremity sciatica, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression and lumbar spine disability due to inadequate examinations in April 2012. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder NOS and major depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for the residuals of TBI is remanded due to inextricability with the initial rating for the psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable for the period prior to September 2011, as he participated in a non-paid work experience with SSA and had obtained a Bachelor’s degree. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU during this period.