Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and she is considered disabled by the Social Security Administration due to her service-connected psychiatric disabilities. TDIU and DEA are granted from August 25, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for depression and insomnia, headaches, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder with major depression warrants a disability rating of 70 percent, effective February 2, 2010. The Veteran is also found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as moot due to the absence of any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with associated anxiety and insomnia is granted, effective February 17, 2010.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted, effective July 15, 2010.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for sinusitis is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 9, 2010, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for his service-connected low back disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's reported stressor events, which are necessary for service connection. The Veteran must provide credible supporting evidence from service records or other sources.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders were not shown in service and are not causally or etiologically related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or any evidence linking the claimed conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure a complete record, including obtaining private treatment records and authorizing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim is still pending as it was not decided on its merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD or depression, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by tingling and numbness of both legs and feet, cervical spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or depression or other acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are denied as secondary to service-connected mechanical low back pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, bilateral prepatellar bursitis, allergic rhinitis, left ankle lateral malleolus area tendonitis, and sinusitis, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety is rated at 70 percent, effective since the grant of service connection. The groin adenopathy with cutaneous nerve involvement, right leg, is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was denied multiple times in the past, but a new and material evidence petition was received on March 20, 2012. The Board found that an effective date earlier than March 20, 2012 is not warranted due to the clear legal authority governing effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS, with alcohol abuse should have an effective date of December 1, 2008. This is because new evidence (VA treatment records from December 2009) was received within one year after the June 2009 denial of service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of an injury to the right foot. The Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are pending, as is his claim for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, depression and anxiety, as well as hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a gastrointestinal disorder and depression have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection is not granted as there is no current diagnosis or link between these conditions and active service.,Service connection has not been established for either a gastrointestinal disorder or an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression).

The Veteran is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.