Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent for Major Depressive Disorder prior to May 5, 2015 was granted. From May 5, 2015 to January 8, 2017, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating and from January 8, 2017 onwards, he received a 70 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and unspecified depressive disorder, was rated at 70 percent prior to January 30, 2015. The rating is denied as the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of a proper opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. The AOJ must obtain in-service mental health clinic records and provide an addendum opinion by a clinician addressing the etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is granted, and the issue of TDIU prior to November 15, 2010 is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder secondary to service-connected tinnitus and denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety with stress and depression due to a lack of medical evidence addressing whether these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's entrance examination did not reveal any umbilical hernia, but his service treatment records indicate that he developed increased pain in this area during basic training. The Board has also remanded the claim for an umbilical hernia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with a 50% rating effective May 14, 2004. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bi-polar disorder, and depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate his mental health condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a link between current psychiatric conditions and service.

The Board found that the reduction from a 50% to a 10% disability rating for depressive disorder was proper due to material improvement in the Veteran's condition, and that this improvement will be maintained under ordinary conditions of life. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for major depression, left knee and right knee disabilities due to additional development being necessary. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is now rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted a TDIU for the period prior to December 20, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a mental disorder.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claims on appeal are decided. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, sleep apnea, GERD, and intestinal disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 24, 2016. He also received a TDIU rating effective January 20, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is granted as service connected. The claim was re-adjudicated due to new evidence submitted after the October 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent from April 30, 2019. Prior to that date, the disability was not rated higher than 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for other specified anxiety disorder, chronic, including depression, nightmares, panic attacks, claustrophobia, and PTSD, with an effective date of March 26, 2004. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service stressors as a cryptographer.