Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, but denied the claim for PTSD. The appeal is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to May 16, 2016 due to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus. The effective date for the 100 percent schedular evaluation for PTSD prior to May 16, 2016 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, left knee strain with arthralgia, and right knee strain with arthralgia. The acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service, the knee conditions were noted as chronic in service, and there is continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher than 30 percent disability rating. The Board found that the Veteran's depression causes occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for depression and entitlement to a TDIU are dismissed as they have been addressed in a final rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding the Veteran's possible history of depression and bipolar disorder. The Veteran will be provided an adequate examination in furtherance of his claim.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from July 13, 2010. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for pancolitis (to include irritable bowel syndrome) is denied, and his TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service connected, but the other conditions and issues are not.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and migraine headaches, have been granted. The effective date for the increased evaluation of intermittent peripheral vestibulopathy is set at January 3, 2014.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's claims for other acquired psychiatric disorders are remanded due to a lack of evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her PTSD and substance abuse disorders, as well as clarification on her employment status. The issues include seeking higher ratings for PTSD, determining if her substance abuse disorder is secondary to PTSD, and evaluating her eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's pain disorder with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and opiate dependence was granted a rating of 50 percent for the period from November 21, 1997 to September 20, 2000. A rating of 100 percent was granted starting September 21, 2000.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The issues of SMC and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The evidence shows that her symptoms do not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for TDIU due to major depressive disorder, but denied service connection for obesity and hypertension secondary to the same condition. The Veteran is now eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, as secondary to his primary choroidal melanoma of the left eye. The initial compensable disability rating claim for lumbar degenerative disc disease is also being remanded.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection decisions are made as a result.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder associated with residuals, fracture, right elbow is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the remanded claims regarding a rating increase for depressive disorder and SMC.,The Veteran's claim for SMC is remanded due to its inextricable link with the remanded claims of TDIU and a rating increase for depressive disorder.,The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability related to gastric bypass surgery are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding informed consent and surgical care.