Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his active military service. The examiner will also assess whether any pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD and depression is granted prior to July 5, 2016.,An initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and depression is denied from July 5, 2016. The Veteran's attorney did not cite to any evidence dated after 2013 in support of the claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation are denied.,Remand is required to obtain Social Security Administration records, private medical records, and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for another VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence and an updated evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent prior to October 9, 2014 and granted TDIU from December 13, 2010 to August 6, 2013 and from October 1, 2013 to October 9, 2014. SMC at the housebound rate is granted from November 20, 2012 to March 19, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for depression as secondary to the service-connected low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, nervous condition, and depression have been granted a 70 percent disability rating as of March 25, 2019. The appeal for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depression, including private treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to exposure to combat stressors during her military service, and the Board granted this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, is related to her active duty service. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination. The issues of rating adjustment disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are deferred pending this development.

The Board has remanded the claim due to conflicting medical evidence about whether the Veteran has depression and if it is related to his left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The case requires further examination by a VA psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to the receipt of additional VA treatment records. A supplemental statement of the case must be issued to reflect consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral blindness was denied as the evidence did not show that VA care or lack of proper care caused his vision loss.,Service connection for depression secondary to bilateral blindness and service connection for a dental condition were both denied due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand is granted, but her earlier effective date claim for depression is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder with depression/anxiety, and PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.