Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's depression is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The other issues are denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for PTSD with major depression, and also raises the issue of TDIU. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain recent VA clinical records and associated forms related to substantiating his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's other specified trauma-related disorder with depression is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also receives an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) under section 1114(s).

The Board has found that further development of the medical evidence is required prior to adjudicating the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression. The case is being remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and depression, has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but the issues of service connection for joint pain (fibromyalgia), recurrent skin disorder, and anxiety and depression are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety and depression is granted. The claims for increased rating for low back disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand both her claim for a higher rating and her TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD are linked to his in-service stressors. However, the claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded as it may be related to his diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and a right elbow condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied as her initial claim was received on October 22, 2009. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD from October 22, 2009 to May 24, 2018 was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's depression associated with HIV is granted a 100 percent evaluation prior to January 3, 2014. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot due to the award of a 100 percent disability rating for depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression and bipolar disorder was granted retroactively effective from December 14, 1992. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the earliest possible effective date is November 7, 1991.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent rating from January 21, 2014 to October 22, 2015. Prior to this period and after this period, the rating for major depressive disorder remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, with some remanded for further examination and development. The initial rating for depression disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social deficiencies, warranting a 70 percent rating prior to November 28, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and mood disorder is on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between the current conditions and active service.