Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of a higher rating for Major Depressive Disorder, an earlier effective date for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, and an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and remanded issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for major depressive disorder with panic disorder was granted, but an earlier effective date prior to May 23, 2013 is denied. The Veteran's increased rating claim for MDD with panic disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent as of April 8, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,VA has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of July 15, 2010 for a 100 percent evaluation for her service-connected PTSD with MDD.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression have been service connected. The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is granted with a TDIU effective January 3, 2018. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in the left upper extremity is granted a 20 percent rating effective January 3, 2018 and his right upper extremity is granted a 30 percent rating effective February 27, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal of the initial 70 percent rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

Service connection granted for bilateral tinnitus and denied for bilateral hearing loss, a sleeping disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression).,The Veteran's service connection claims for the other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder are granted as service connected. The cervical spine, eye, traumatic brain injury, and headaches issues remain pending.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, which covers symptoms such as flattened affect and intermittent depression. The Board found the severity of his symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating than a higher one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, he is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection in June 2016. The rating agency found that his symptoms, including reduced reliability and productivity, have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, because it was granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed with a focus on verifying stressors and determining if his current symptoms are related to his in-service experiences.