Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are rated at 50 percent, but he contends they are more severe. The VA has not provided all relevant medical records in his case.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed because his anxiety disorder with PTSD features, depressive disorder, neurocognitive disorder, and alcohol use disorder has been rated at 100% by the VA. This renders the issue moot as he already receives a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder not otherwise specified, was granted.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected costochondritis/Tietze's syndrome. His costochondritis/Tietze's syndrome rating is restored from June 25, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions. The issues include left knee disorder, right knee disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke, and a psychiatric disorder (Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depression).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's body aches, diabetes mellitus, type II, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and/or unspecified depressive disorder) are all under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including corroboration of the Veteran's claimed stressors and examination for bilateral upper extremity frostbite.

The Veteran's service-connected depression has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's depression NOS, opioid dependence on agonist treatment, benzodiazepine dependence associated with L1 fracture, lumbar spine is rated at 50 percent. The symptoms are significant but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and/or depression as secondary to a service-connected skin disability (squamous cell carcinoma with residuals). The remand is due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from July 20, 2012 due to his service-connected left hernia and major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to this date remains pending as the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has not been resolved.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for depression, claimed as secondary to duodenal ulcer disease is granted. A 60 percent rating is assigned for the Veteran's duodenal ulcer disease from May 13, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder and a 100% disability rating are dismissed as there is no legal basis to do so.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety, depression, and dysthymia are of service-connected origin, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder disability and major depressive disorder, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional evidence. The Veteran's reported stressor of a rocket attack on an air traffic control tower in Da Nang is under review, as are his diagnoses of PTSD, depressive disorder, congestive heart failure, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for a lung disability and depression due to inadequate medical treatment at a VA facility, as well as whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is secondary to his lung disability.

The Board has remanded four claims: service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an increased rating for major depressive disorder, the effective date of service connection for major depressive disorder, and TDIU. The Veteran's lawyer requested SOCs for all issues but did not receive them.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder are rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Rating Mental Disabilities. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating.