Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted on and after July 9, 2008 due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating of all service-connected disabilities is at least 60%.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of these claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and polysubstance abuse in sustained remission is currently rated as noncompensable effective May 28, 1997; and rated as 100 percent disabling effective September 7, 2005. The appeal period is from May 28, 1997 to September 7, 2005. The Veteran's PTSD has progressed over time, but the RO should attempt to retrieve any and all relevant treatment records that predate 2005, specifically records from Highland Dr.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the inability to obtain or sustain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting diagnoses and lack of clear evidence.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with panic attacks and major depressive disorder is denied. The Board found that any attempt to raise this issue now would be a freestanding claim for an effective date, which is not allowed under law.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychological disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) and denied service connection for kidney stones.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease but granted TDIU benefits. The appeal regarding compensation under 38 C.F.R. 1151 is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, and the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability to include as secondary to service-connected disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of his initial evaluation for PTSD, with secondary major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse resulted in a 70% rating since November 30, 2009. The Board also granted remand for further evaluation of other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depression prior to July 5, 2018 is also denied. A 100 percent rating is granted from that date.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for psychiatric disorders, skin irritations, night sweats, nightmares, left knee disability, left shoulder disability, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reviewed again as they may be related to military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating for service-connected Herpes Simplex II, earlier effective date for service connection for depressive disorder and tender scarring related to pilonidal cyst removal. The issues were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder, alcohol-induced as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and polysubstance abuse disorder are caused by her in-service military sexual trauma, leading to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues including the timely filing of a notice of disagreement for reducing the rating of the Veteran's back disorder, earlier effective date for TDIU claim, higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depressive disorder NOS. The Veteran should be afforded a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorder.