Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded, and his mood disorder (also claimed as depression) claim results in a 70% rating. Other claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board also remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and a higher rating for depression with PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney requesting withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a depressive disorder, on the basis that it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's mental health disorders were noted during and after his military service.

The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 70 percent since November 14, 2017. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s right knee PFS and left hip trochanteric bursitis have each been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion from the November 2016 examiner.

The Veteran's claim has been recharacterized to include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, delusional disorder and mood disorder. The case is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in April 2016. The claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective January 31, 2012. The Board has remanded the issues of an earlier effective date for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU and SMC prior to December 20, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lupus and depression was granted in June 2010 with an effective date of the day following the receipt of his February 27, 2009 application.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for right hand finger fractures with callus is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected knee and ankle disabilities. The case is returned to the Board for further consideration after a new VA examination and etiological opinion.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome is remanded due to lack of service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current psychiatric condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety; initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss; and assessment of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the lack of evidence showing an in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award effective September 1, 2001.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has increased in severity since the last VA examination, and he should be provided a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a traumatic brain injury due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities alone prior to September 25, 2015.