Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has found a duty to assist error occurred prior to the February 2019 rating decision and remanded for an addendum medical opinion that addresses all relevant evidence of record, including an August 2017 private medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, psychiatric disability, and TDIU due to issues with evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not more closely approximate the criteria required for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying the Veteran's alleged stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and fibroid tumors/hysterectomy, including as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability, must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if her current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective May 15, 2015. The earlier effective date and TDIU claims are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 28, 2016 was rated at 50 percent. The appeal is granted for this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a more complete medical advisory opinion that addresses all medical questions raised, based on a complete record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and related conditions has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence supports a diagnosis of these conditions. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the current symptoms are related to his in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee strain, and right hip strain due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at a higher 70 percent, but no greater. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during or is otherwise related to the Veteran's period of active service. The rating assigned remains a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and related conditions. The claim will be reviewed with a VA examination to determine if these disorders are related to the Appellant's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with secondary alcohol abuse and unspecified depressive disorder, has not been rated at the maximum 50 percent level. The Board has ordered a remand to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart murmur has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for any psychiatric condition, including unspecific depressive disorder (previously rated as bipolar and personality disorder), has been reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosis, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his diabetes mellitus is rated at 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, anxiety (including agoraphobia), and depression have been reopened. The Board has decided that new evidence received since the last denial supports reopening these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate August 2016 VA medical opinion, and to obtain additional records for the Veteran's psychiatric treatment at the Stanford Vet Center.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection is granted.