Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the severity of his hearing loss and psychiatric disabilities, as well as the nature and etiology of his right knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD with MDD as secondary to PTSD, is now rated at 50 percent from November 29, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran was found not to have current left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and his employment as a service technician was considered in determining that he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and chronic depression, due to a personal trauma or military sexual assault. The Veteran provided new evidence that she did not give truthful testimony during her CID investigation.,The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are being remanded for further evaluation due to the progression of his symptoms. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being added as it has been raised in connection with the increased rating claim.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for the residuals of a bilateral eye surgery due to new medical evidence. The other issues are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to new evidence received since the last decision. The claims will be adjudicated on a de novo basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA will obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury have been characterized by depression, feelings of worthlessness, suicidal ideation, a few suicide attempts, social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has determined that the current rating of 70% adequately reflects his social and work impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU. The rating for major depressive disorder remains under review.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and depression as secondary to a personality disorder, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic attacks was rated at 50% from October 31, 2005 to May 28, 2015; 70% from May 29, 2015 to March 7, 2017; and in excess of 50% from March 8, 2017 to March 7, 2018. The appeal was denied as the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of left eye injury, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches was denied. The claims for service connection for low back disability, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression), and TDIU prior to October 11, 2011 were remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's consistent statements regarding her in-service sexual trauma have been corroborated by other evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and has also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions are now resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to service. The examiner must provide a clear and unmistakable opinion on whether the condition preexisted service or was aggravated by service.

The claims of service connection for gout, bilateral congenital pes planus, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders were denied for ratings higher than the currently assigned 30 percent prior to April 9, 2013, and 50 percent on or after that date.