Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and personnel records, which are needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder has been granted a 100% disability rating since June 26, 2013. The Board also found that the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine if his skin condition is related to exposure to chemicals during active service.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression.

The Board has recharacterized the appeal as involving a psychiatric disorder and is now remanding it for further development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling a VA medical examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's service and his current psychiatric condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, psychiatric disability (to include depression), and sleep apnea or sleep disorder due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and her active service.,The case is remanded as there are no clear indications that any current disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to MST and finds that new evidence supports a link between her current diagnoses and military service. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Depression, is related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his insomnia disorder (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome with symptoms of impaired attention and concentration, fatigue, joint aches, muscle aches, and depression) is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability and major depressive disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has not been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, so the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 10, 2014 for service connection of insomnia with depression due to evidence showing the condition existed prior to the claim being submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a verified stressor event in service, and for further examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that the December 2011 rating decision granting service connection for bipolar disorder, effective February 17, 2009, did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA medical records.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his depressive disorder and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA clinical records, as well as an examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse remission render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder with anxious stress and opiate use disorder, to include alcohol use disorder is denied. The effective date of TDIU is granted as August 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from his Army National Guard and Navy Reserve periods of service. The Veteran is asked to provide information about these periods so that VA can obtain any missing records.