Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA opinion to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service, including the in-service personal assaults. The Veteran's service records are incomplete and his entrance examination report is missing.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. Service connection is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for persistent depressive disorder has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck pain was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for voiding dysfunction as secondary to his chronic low back pain. His erectile dysfunction remains at a non-compensable rating. The Veteran's depression disorder is rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher 70 percent or 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is being remanded for further action due to missing records from the Vet Center.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim is reopened, but her service connection remains on hold until a new VA medical examination can be conducted.

The Board has restored a 50 percent rating for major depressive disorder with bulimia nervosa effective January 1, 2019. The reduction from 50 to 30 percent was found to be improper and void ab initio.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service-connected tension headaches. The AOJ is instructed to attempt verification of the Veteran’s claimed stressor, conduct a new VA examination, and provide an opinion on whether any currently identified psychiatric disability had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded. His initial rating for MDD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver is granted. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is dismissed as moot. The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis, secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression have been reopened, but the Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for lower jaw disability was denied. The claims of depression, bilateral ankle disability, low back disability, and left foot disability were granted.,New evidence received after the last final denial did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to reopen the claim for lower jaw disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of cervical spine disability is pending and needs to be addressed.,The reduction from 30 percent to 20 percent for cervical spine disability, effective May 17, 2016, is also under review.

A 50 percent rating, but no higher, for panic disorder with agoraphobia and depression prior to August 16, 2011.,A 70 percent rating, but not higher, for panic disorder from August 16, 2011 to September 7, 2011.,TDIU due to service-connected disability beginning August 16, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety as secondary to service-connected migraines, should be remanded due to inadequate examination findings and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with a depressive disorder not otherwise specified is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increase to higher ratings. The appeal for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD was also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history. His claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous medical opinion, and requires further examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder.