Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's face numbness, psychiatric disability (including depression), and sleep disorder are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The current evidence is insufficient to make an informed decision on these claims.

The Veteran's requests to reopen service connection claims for various conditions were denied. The Board also remanded several issues, including a low back disability rating and hypertension rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a sleep disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and non-service-connected disability pension benefits due to insufficient information regarding his spouse's social security number, lack of a valid medical opinion linking PTSD to an in-service stressor, and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide more recent income and net worth information.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder with panic disorder is denied. The appeal for a higher evaluation and TDIU prior to June 2, 2015, are granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have worsened since his last VA examination, which was over four years ago. A more contemporaneous medical examination is required to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD has been rated at 70 percent since August 30, 2007, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of her right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities. The Board found that she has PTSD due to military sexual trauma during service, bilateral hip replacements related to service, migraines also related to service, and tinnitus related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with depressive disorder, was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for the period from August 11, 2006, to October 11, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claim for depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining command histories and enlisted performance evaluation reports to verify in-service stressors. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions will be evaluated based on their relation to his submarine service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of proper notification regarding service connection for PTSD based on in-service personal assault or harassment.

The Veteran's excoriation disorder is granted as secondary to her major depressive disorder.,Her dry eye syndrome (Sjogren’s syndrome) has been granted a 20% rating, but no greater.

The Veteran's hearing loss is now rated at 10 percent, effective August 23, 2018. The Board has also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including depression and substance abuse disorder), but the claim remains pending as a VA addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the initial denial, and requests further verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he currently suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and development due to inadequate previous examinations, particularly regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, was granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension and residuals of a cerebral vascular accident were also granted, with the latter being secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in previous decisions and missing medical records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, other stressor disorder, and depressive disorder, are now under review.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the pending nature of his other service-connected disability claims. The Board finds that his TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.