Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that her conditions render her bedridden or unable to care for herself without assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination, and the Veteran's current psychiatric disability may be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for eligibility for a special home adaptation grant and service connection for a gait/balance disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA medical opinion, and additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, social phobia disorder, and attention deficit disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's MDD disability is rated at a 50 percent rating, but no higher. The issue of entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis has been remanded.

The Board has expanded the issue on appeal to include all psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether these conditions were related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the Director of Compensation Service regarding extraschedular consideration for diplopia and scheduling a VA examination for psychiatric issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee disability is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran is required to provide more specific details about his alleged in-service incident, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD have been rated at 50% since June 10, 2011. The Board has granted a 70% rating for the Veteran’s major depressive disorder effective April 2, 2013, and has granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities effective April 2, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with anxiety and MDD, taking into account medications used to treat these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted due to the establishment of a previously established in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder have been granted. The appeal for an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to July 18, 2018, and greater than 50 percent thereafter, for cluster headaches is still pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as well as his mental health conditions in general, have been granted. The other issues related to the left ankle condition, high blood pressure (hypertension), acid reflux, and benign tumor of the neck remain unresolved.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for his service-connected tinnitus, but has remanded several other issues including service connection for various conditions. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain certain medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, coronary artery disease as secondary to service-connected acquired psychiatric condition, and a head injury due to insufficient evidence in the record.