Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for an increased evaluation for his depressive disorder and effective dates for the grant of a higher disability rating. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are considered, including VA treatment records from the Omaha VAMC since August 2016, and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete supplemental statements of the case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his active service, and he does not have a compensable rating for his mandibular fracture.

The Veteran's DDD of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, and his depressive disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's left hip strain is rated at 20 percent since March 26, 2015.,The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS with anxiety disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent since February 28, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 50% rating for the period prior to February 12, 2014. For the entire duration of the appeal, he is rated at 50%. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical records, verify periods of active duty, and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, a rating in excess of 70 percent for the period from July 15, 2013 to September 16, 2015 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of current diagnosis of PTSD and need for further examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying service records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as secondary to rhabdomyolysis, and she is assigned a 70 percent rating for her adjustment disorder with PTSD, mixed depression, and anxiety.,Her rhabdomyolysis is also granted, and she receives an initial 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported service history and need for further examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating, service connection, earlier effective date, and TDIU due to withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the VA examination for PTSD is inadequate, and thus remands the case to obtain a new examination. The issues of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and insomnia) are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with secondary alcohol dependence was denied in October 1991, and the appeal was not pursued. The Veteran submitted a petition to reopen his service connection claim on November 13, 2001, which resulted in the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board found no evidence supporting an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating and TDIU due to unclear evidence regarding which symptoms are caused by his service-connected MDD and which are caused by other non-service-connected psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected psychiatric disability, specifically depression.,There were no claims pending at the time of the Veteran's death for accrued benefits.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, cervical dysplasia, hepatitis C, and depressive disorder.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new and material evidence received by the RO in the first post-decision year, as well as inadequate development of the claim for service connection. The Veteran's mental health conditions are now being considered under a broader scope.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need to determine if the Veteran now has a current hearing loss disability related to service, and whether he has an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety) that is related to service.