Depression decisions — 2019

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 70% disability rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and cocaine-use disorder. The Veteran's condition was found to have worsened more than one year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's death is due to mental health issues, specifically Major Depressive Disorder. The appellant disagrees with the denial of service connection for MDD and whether a timely notice of disagreement was received for the cause of death. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to military sexual trauma (MST), including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and Major depressive disorder (MDD). The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that a supplemental VA opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent evaluation, but no higher. The Board also granted the Appellant's request to be substituted for the Veteran in this appeal and found that he met the criteria for entitlement to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left upper extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and nervous disorder) due to incomplete records and need for additional information regarding stressors.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for depression prior to June 29, 2009 has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to service. A VA examination is needed for a proper determination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depression with anxiety, as well as her claims for effective date prior to January 13, 2014 and TDIU, were all denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for depression, heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to new and material evidence. However, these claims have not been substantiated as there is no established link between the current conditions and military service.

The Board dismissed all the claims due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, specifically his PTSD and depression. The VA is instructed to verify the stressors in service that may have led to these conditions and arrange for a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Major Depressive Disorder is granted. The claim for recurrent tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are being remanded for further evaluation, including a retrospective medical opinion on the severity of his disabilities prior to November 13, 2018. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for a reduction of his acquired psychiatric disorder from 50 percent to 0 percent disabling, effective July 1, 2015 is remanded due to the failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown in service and is not causally or etiologically related to any incident of service. Service connection for the condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric disorder has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they only approximated a 70 percent degree of severity.