Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and knee conditions. The decision does not specify an effective date or rating assigned.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is rated at 50% effective from July 30, 2019. An earlier effective date for service connection was denied.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for major depressive disorder and left ankle disability, as new evidence has been added to the record since their last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's major depressive disorder may be related to his service-connected disabilities, but needs further examination and opinion to determine this relationship.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand both her claim for a higher rating and her TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence of current severity.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMR). The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his major neurocognitive disorder is being remanded, as well as his claims for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance and housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right wrist tendonitis was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD and depression, will be evaluated again.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will be asked to determine if the Veteran has PTSD and its likely etiology, as well as whether any other current mental disorders are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and an unspecified depressive disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD, whether it is related to service, and if any other acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder NOS) was incurred in or is otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder was granted at a 70% level, effective June 25, 2013. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, effective the same date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in the May 2018 decision, specifically failing to discuss a July 1986 letter from the Veteran's mother regarding his claimed in-service stressor event. The Veteran is required to provide information for obtaining any outstanding records of treatment by VA or non-VA health care providers.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C and major depression prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted service connection.,Service connection for a neck disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 17, 2012. The rating is granted as the disability causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD due to new evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and because the Veteran's claim for reopening the major depressive disorder claim is still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for substance abuse secondary to unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder (also considered as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder) due to a need for additional development of evidence.