Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from August 25, 2013.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for various conditions and an initial rating for chronic fatigue syndrome. Additional VA records are needed, and a psychiatric examination is required.

The Board has remanded several claims, including reopening of service connection for various disabilities and increased evaluations. The Veteran's VA treatment records have been submitted but need to be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for depression remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition. The adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder are found not to be service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 11, 2012 for service connection of PTSD with depressive disorder and migraine and post-coital headaches associated with TBI. The decision stated that no claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder), and a low back disability due to lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD.

The Board dismissed the claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for Hepatitis C due to the Veteran's withdrawal at his August 2017 hearing. The remaining issues, including service connection and increased ratings for left knee disability, are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection for glaucoma remains denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for personality disorder is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression or adjustment disorder, is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and compensable rating for service-connected residuals of crush injury to the right hand are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, an additional examination, and consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder is now rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 10 percent has been assigned for gastric ulcers.

The Veteran's depressive disorder not otherwise specified is rated at 70 percent, effective January 25, 2011. The Board has also remanded the issues of a higher evaluation for lumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) on a secondary basis to diabetes, which is the Veteran's service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and his variously diagnosed psychiatric disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus and claw foot with hallux valgus of the great toe and first metatarsal hammertoes is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support such determinations.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability rating for lipoma remains pending. The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and inadequate verification of stressor events in service. The Veteran needs to provide more details about his alleged stressors, and a new examination is required to determine if he has PTSD related to a verified event in service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The disability is currently rated at 50 percent but the evidence shows that it more closely approximates a 70 percent rating.