Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. However, the claim for PTSD remains unresolved due to insufficiently detailed stressor information.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for major depressive disorder was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to January 14, 2018, was also dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.,The Veteran's appeal for restoration of his 40 percent rating for bilateral glaucoma from August 1, 2014, to May 29, 2015, was granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are at least as likely as not due to a witnessed event in service, leading to his current conditions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 16, 2008 for the award of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depression and alcoholism.,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of October 16, 2008 for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is granted a 50 percent rating prior to June 22, 2018, but denied any increase in rating from that date.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, and major depression with generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a schedular evaluation in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate the criteria for a rating of 100 percent. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted as he met the schedular criteria and had sufficient additional service-connected disability to bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not granted an initial compensable rating prior to February 3, 2012. From that date, a maximum 100 percent disability rating for hepatitis C is granted. Effective August 14, 2012, the Veteran qualifies for SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to February 3, 2012, he was not entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for insomnia secondary to tinnitus is denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his acquired mental health disorder, are not properly adjudicated due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is therefore remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder in sustained remission is currently rated at 70 percent, but the claim for an increased rating has been denied. The Veteran also had his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) denied as he ceased employment due to a stroke and resulting cognitive impairment.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for tinnitus. The Board has determined that the maximum disability rating possible under applicable criteria is 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus. For other claims, a new examination and additional evidence are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and its relationship to service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep impairment and depression are dismissed as the appeal is moot since service connection already exists for these symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral pes planus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The decision also remanded issues regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected depressive disorder is granted, and his claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and obstructive sleep apnea are all denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied. The current rating adequately reflects the Veteran's symptoms, which include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened. His major depressive disorder (previously PTSD) is rated at 70 percent, effective December 29, 2016. The TDIU claim is granted.