Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (depression combined with the back disabilities as well as depression and back disabilities combined with the sleep apnea) preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, effective February 22, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder with anxious distress. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, as well as an increased rating for his right ankle disability. The remand requires obtaining verification of the alleged in-service stressor, requesting all service personnel records (SPRs), and scheduling VA examinations to determine the severity of the right ankle disability and the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examination should address whether his mother's death and subsequent abuse during bootcamp are related to his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, due to insufficient examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran is granted TDIU based on major depressive disorder and SMC at the housebound rate effective January 24, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include major depressive disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, residual pseudofolliculitis barbae scar, painful scars, and recurrent abscesses (MRSA).

The reduction in the rating for service-connected PTSD with a major depressive disorder from 100% to 70%, effective March 1, 2018, was proper.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder is denied because the onset of his psychiatric conditions occurred outside of his honorable active duty period, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a mandible disability is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for swollen different body parts, loss of sense of smell, skin eruptions (to include as due to flu vaccine), and major depressive disorder (to include as secondary to swollen body parts, skin eruptions, and loss of sense of smell).

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for her stressor-related disorder prior to June 7, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Memory Loss, Alopecia, and Depressive Disorder have been granted. The claim for secondary service connection for Depressive Disorder as related to Alopecia has also been granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including OSA and hypertension secondary to PTSD. The examination reports are inadequate due to lack of consideration of aggravation and exposure to burn pits. Additional records are needed for mental health treatment and a TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, Social Security Disability Benefits file, and lay statements. A VA examination is also required to assess the severity of his depressive disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and sleep disturbance are being remanded for further evaluation as they may be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder has been granted a 70% disability rating effective December 1, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of major depressive disorder was denied, and her request for TDIU due to service-connected disability was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no clear and convincing evidence linking her current symptoms to a specific in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder including MDD and mania, and a TDIU rating are all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a confirmed in-service stressor event related to the Veteran's claimed PTSD, and his current mental health diagnoses were not linked to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed due to his death.