Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (diagnosed as major depressive disorder with anxious distress) and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and dysthymia, is granted. The effective date for service connection of the psychiatric disorder is set at April 11, 2011. The effective date for TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) is also set at April 11, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to May 14, 2019. Beginning May 14, 2019, the Veteran's Persistent Depressive Disorder is rated as denied. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further verification of stressors. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a gastrectomy but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status from October 1, 2014 is granted. The decision is based on the Veteran having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's depression disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition, as there are discrepancies between previous medical opinions and incomplete treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were found to not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to March 29, 2017. From that date, they did not meet the criteria for a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for unspecified depressive disorder was granted, with a 50 percent rating assigned prior to March 12, 2018. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms most closely approximated the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors and missing VA and SSA records. The Veteran needs a VA psychiatric examination to determine if she has PTSD, other psychiatric disorders, and whether these conditions are related to service.

A 70 percent rating is granted for depression and anxiety from May 15, 2006 to August 22, 2011.,An evaluation in excess of 50 percent for depression and anxiety from August 23, 2011 is denied.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea was increased to a 50 percent rating, effective August 2011. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for the entire initial rating period due to his use of a CPAP machine.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence received. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 50% from March 22, 2000, to May 18, 2004. The symptoms were noted as occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the case due to inability to verify PTSD stressors and lack of etiological opinions for major depressive disorder. A VA examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Veteran seeks a higher rating.,Obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, with no evidence of respiratory failure or tracheostomy.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. The examiner is requested to provide a detailed opinion on whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and adjustment disorder, are found to have started during her service.