Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to September 25, 2018. For the period from September 25, 2018, a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression (claimed as PTSD), left knee patellar femoral syndrome, and left ankle tenosynovitis, were denied earlier effective dates.,Claims for service connection for lumbar strain and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent since November 23, 2007. The Board finds that the effects from her psychiatric symptoms meet criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), due to aggravation by exposure to chemicals during military service. The issue of service connection for epilepsy is remanded for further examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was denied due to lack of evidence. The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes is denied as no new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of evidence. The Veteran is asked to provide additional information about his theories of entitlement.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military sexual trauma during basic training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were not processed under the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program due to administrative reasons.,The Veteran’s gastroenteritis with IBS is assigned a maximum rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to outstanding service treatment records, need for VA examinations, and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining federal employment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety and panic disorders was granted a 70% rating from January 12, 2015 to February 20, 2017. A 100% rating was granted since February 21, 2017. The Veteran also received a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) effective January 12, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, which began in October 2010 and included intrusive recollections, nightmares, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors, resulted in a 70% rating for PTSD effective from that date. The decision also granted an effective date of October 8, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a trauma and stressor related disorder, and associated depression is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to service-connected mental disabilities is granted.,Service connection for hemorrhoids secondary to service-connected GERD is granted.,Heart disability and polyps are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and insomnia. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and status post meniscectomy with scars, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to tinnitus, major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, and other physical disabilities. The Board has found that the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus is already assigned, and no extraschedular consideration is warranted.,For his major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, the Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating, but not higher, as it meets the criteria of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 28, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability has been reopened, but the Board finds that there is not enough evidence to grant service connection at this time.,The Veteran's tinnitus was rated 10% and denied an increased rating. The appeal on this issue is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an eye disability, a kidney disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder due to new and material evidence. The cases are being remanded for further development.