Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee condition, and increased rating for right tibia stress fracture have been denied due to lack of credible in-service stressor events, no evidence of arthritis within the presumptive period, and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are remanded. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination to determine if his major depressive disorder is etiologically linked to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder is being remanded due to allegations of clear and unmistakable error in previous denial decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and unresolved medical questions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of active duty service and need for further clarification on specific dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Appellant is also required to provide information about in-service incidents leading to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability level prior to December 15, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection for a mood disorder NOS (claimed as depression) associated with erectile dysfunction is restored effective May 1, 2017. The evidence shows that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is more likely than not secondary to his service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the VA's duty to assist was not fulfilled in obtaining employment information from the Veteran's former employer, and thus remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and insomnia are dismissed. The claim of increased rating for asthma is denied, but a 30% rating is granted effective May 5, 2015. The right knee disability rating reduction from 10% to noncompensable is overturned, and the 10% rating is restored. The back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, is denied. The earliest possible effective date considered in this appeal is February 8, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating to 100 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted, effective January 13, 2017. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability was denied. The appeal to reopen this claim is denied. Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, secondary to migraine headaches, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to verify his reported in-service events, obtain treatment records, and provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA examiner who provided the April 2018 opinion needs to provide an addendum addressing this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of an increased disability rating for depressive disorder not otherwise specified and entitlement to SMC by reason of being housebound are now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, low back disability (claimed as chronic low back pain and disc disease), and depressive disorder has been granted.