Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and a psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records from the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to October 21, 2013 was denied.,The request for an earlier or different effective date for the temporary total rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder after continuous hospitalization in excess of 21 days was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been considered by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the veteran's claims for service connection due to her alleged in-service personal assault. The appellant must provide information about her service and any stressor involving a personal assault.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder and Parkinson’s disease psychosis are found to be caused by his service-connected Parkinson’s disease, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for muscle weakness, severe stomach and abdominal pains, sun sensitivity, loss of appetite, unusual bruising, eye condition, hepatitis C, migraines, numbness of the left side of the face and body, numbness and tingling in the left foot, numbness and tingling in the right foot, left hand pain/numbness, right hand pain/numbness, brain damage, short term memory loss, dizziness, excess tiredness, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), and skin rash have all been dismissed.,The Veteran withdrew his appeals for these issues.

The Veteran's disability rating for major depressive disorder was reduced from 70 to 50 percent, effective December 1, 2014. The reduction is being restored to 70 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, has resulted in total social and occupational impairment throughout the appeal period. The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated and requires further examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depression has been productive of total occupational and social impairment throughout the entire period on appeal, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, paranoid disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression due to incomplete evaluations and a need for additional evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are rated at 70 percent since January 29, 2015. The Pedophilic Disorder is separately rated.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent. The evidence shows that his symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an unspecified depressive disorder due to military sexual trauma, as well as the claim for TDIU. The Veteran's statements regarding her in-service sexual assault have been considered, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are service-connected due to a verified in-service stressor of participating in a rescue mission for a merchant marine ship.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a personal hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The Veteran's appeal will be returned to the Regional Office (RO) and she can request a DRO hearing.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including substance-induced depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to his own willful misconduct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hearing loss, but remanded the issue of restoring a rating for his depressive disorder.