Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran is granted total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 2, 2011 and from June 11, 2013. TDIU is denied for the period from March 2, 2011 to June 10, 2013.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. The VA must provide a medical examination and opinion to determine if these conditions are etiologically related to his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, is reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address whether her psychiatric conditions are related to stressors in service, specifically sexual harassment, as well as her bilateral knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been rated at 70 percent since August 1, 2009. The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inconsistencies in the rating decision.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and recurrent major depression, is remanded due to the broadening of the claim. The rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes in the first MTP joints bilaterally and hallux rigidus of the right first MTP joint is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, NOS, secondary to cluster headaches and TDIU due to his service-connected cluster headaches. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between the Veteran’s depressive disorder and his service-connected cluster headaches.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, effective from May 30, 2008 to November 3, 2014 and January 1, 2015. The decision also notes that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The evidence submitted was found to be cumulative or redundant of previous records.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been rated at 70 percent since August 28, 2013. The appeal is denied as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's depression pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 12, 2011 for the grant of service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim before September 26, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was reopened and granted. The evidence presented raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and a higher initial rating for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The claim of service connection for melanoma is denied. The claim of service connection for an eye/vision disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, migraines, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, thyroid disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression), and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 1, 2015 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder is denied as there was no prior unadjudicated/pending formal or informal claim before that date.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board also remanded the issues of right shoulder, hip, and lower extremity disabilities for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for his service-connected depression with sleep disorders and nightmares is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.