Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are currently rated at 70 percent since June 27, 2011. Prior to this date, the rating was 50 percent.,Effective June 27, 2011, the Veteran is granted a TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with depression and alcohol dependence was rated at 70 percent from June 13, 2008 to February 21, 2017. The VA determined that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was rated at 50 percent prior to October 10, 2008 and granted a higher rating of 50 percent from that date until February 11, 2013. The Board also found the evidence did not support a TDIU prior to February 11, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depression is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his testimony regarding worsening symptoms.

The claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, but the Veteran's anxiety and depression are not related to service or a service-connected disability. The appeal is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis rating was restored to 60 percent effective June 1, 2011. Service connection for poor eyesight and depressive disorder were granted, while service connection for seizures was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability was denied. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and depression NOS were partially granted, with the hearing loss rating being initially at 20 percent effective June 7, 2017, and the depression rating remaining at 50 percent. A TDIU was granted effective June 15, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disability, an initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, and depression NOS were denied. The Board found no current diagnosed disability in the left leg. For bilateral hearing loss, the evidence did not support ratings higher than 20 percent. For depression NOS, the Veteran was granted a 50% initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines secondary to his cervical spine disability and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his depressive disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition including Major Depressive Disorder.

Your anxiety and depression have been granted service connection for PTSD, which is already in your record. The issues of anxiety and depression are now without controversy as they are related to your service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and depressive disorder have been granted service connection, with the tinnitus being granted based on in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. The depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since November 13, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted with effective dates of April 19, 1995 due to her service-connected bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and depressive disorder preventing her from securing gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, but the other issues remain pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are attributable to his active service and that his depressive disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent from September 7, 2011. The rating is granted due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is considered to be at least as likely caused by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and remanded the issues of increased ratings for major depressive disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for further development.