Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues including an increased rating for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the left knee, service connection claims for right knee condition, hearing loss, left eye condition, memory loss, alcohol dependency, PTSD and depression. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with these matters.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The Veteran's death was also found to be due in part to his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and TDIU due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran is being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations to address his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder, diagnosed as tendonitis, myofascial pain syndrome and trochanteric bursitis. The Veteran's current right hip disorder is found to have its onset during active service.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The separate claim for depression is dismissed.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including hypothyroidism with bradycardia, depression with a mood disorder, thoracolumbar spine strain with ankylosing spondylitis, and other conditions. The Board has determined that she meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, heart disease, and a back scar from a shell fragment wound, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder has been granted a disability rating of 50 percent, effective from September 27, 2013.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at a 30 percent evaluation, the highest available under the General Rating Schedule for mental disorders. The symptoms described are consistent with moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder are related to his service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an effective date earlier than December 18, 1991 for service connection of PTSD. The claims for bilateral cataracts, ED, gangrene of the legs, and chronic renal failure are remanded as they cannot be decided without first knowing whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Board has remanded the claims for SMC based on blindness in one eye and loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's PTSD, to include major depressive disorder and substance abuse, was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to December 10, 2014. The Board found that the current assigned 70 percent rating for PTSD from March 11, 2013, to December 10, 2014, is proper.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened and granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, and a TDIU is granted. The Veteran contends she is unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further investigation into the Veteran's in-service psychiatric history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right thumb disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be reviewed again with the possibility of additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, insomnia disorder, and depression has been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 9, 2015.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.