Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms most closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The claims for GERD and hypertension are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a higher rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for depression, and the current rating for bilateral pes planus is already at its maximum allowable under applicable criteria.

Effective date of July 2, 2015 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder with anxiety disability; effective date of July 20, 2012 for grants of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and puborectalis syndrome. The low back disorder claim was reopened and granted secondary to his irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment and income history, as well as his private treatment records for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA Form 21-8940 and a VA Form 21-4192.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while his claim for Persistent Depressive Disorder was granted. The decision is mixed as it addresses both issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected depression and bipolar disorder contributed to his death in a motor vehicle accident. The VA will seek additional medical opinions to address this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and alcohol abuse resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating from May 25, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to additional development being needed. Obesity is not a disability subject to service connection, but may be secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent. Additional VA examinations are required to determine if obesity is caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability, and if so, whether DM, ED, gout, or sleep apnea are also caused or aggravated by obesity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for updated VA treatment records and further investigation of a newly-reported in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder disability and depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 7, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder is remanded due to the inability to verify a claimed stressor. A VA examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric diagnoses are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are found to have resulted from fear of enemy attack during his service in a high security area in Korea, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to March 1, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to military service. The Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records will be reviewed for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim is reopened based on new evidence received since the May 2008 rating decision.