Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if he should be evaluated for a higher rating due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as aggravated by service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The left knee disability is denied as not secondary to service-connected conditions. The claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy remains pending.

The petition to reopen the service connection claim for a back disability was denied.,The petition to reopen the service connection claim for depression was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including an adequate examination of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and a determination regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar and thoracic spine arthritis, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to July 26, 2016, have been dismissed. The Board found that the evidence did not show that these conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 26, 2016. From July 26, 2016, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 25, 2017 was denied as the evidence did not show he was unemployable due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the right ankle condition and denied an increased rating for depression. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring an additional VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for a new one with an appropriate clinician to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder, other specific stressor-related disorder and substance abuse in remission, is granted as service connected.

The claim of service connection for schizophrenia is granted, while the claims for back condition, cervical condition, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and sinusitis are dismissed. The issue of left foot condition was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity, and the TDIU claim requires additional employment information.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, depression, alcoholism, left knee condition, right knee condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disability (to include anxiety, depression, or PTSD) during the appeal period and therefore denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the Veteran withdrew her claim in October 2004 and thus the effective date is March 4, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MDD have been reopened. However, the Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding of current disabilities or a causal relationship between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for depression was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and he is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied an effective date prior to February 18, 2011 for service connection of PTSD with major depressive disorder due to the lack of a valid claim filed before that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have right ear hearing loss, hypertension, vision condition (due to refractive error), psychiatric condition, cervical spine condition, left shoulder condition, or right shoulder condition during his military service.