Depression decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his grants of service connection for lumbosacral strain and major depressive disorder, finding that the proper effective date is May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and depression have been rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 70 percent rating is warranted due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder prior to April 7, 2016 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, body muscle spasms (now claimed as arthritis right hip and bilateral wrist), status-post intercostal neuritis (claimed as chest pain), loss of teeth for compensation purposes, TDIU, and specially adapted housing are all remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional evidence. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for loss of teeth for compensation purposes is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or establish their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for status post hairline fracture of the left medial patella and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, left hip, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are granted. The claims for nerve condition, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, arthritis, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal of his initial disability rating for major depressive disorder is dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and left varicocele, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current mental health issues and service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed with additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection in April 2017. The Board found that his symptoms, while impairing, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he experienced reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, anxiety, and occasional intrusive thoughts.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA must obtain a new medical opinion specifying the Veteran’s current psychiatric disorders and their etiology, distinguishing between symptoms attributable to each diagnosis.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has worsened to the point of total occupational and social impairment, leading to a grant of a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and bipolar disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding a possible in-service stressor related to PTSD and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, as well as a 60% rating for eczema and psoriasis effective February 13, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date for the PTSD with MDD rating has been denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety is not rated higher than 70 percent, and the Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent. The Veteran was granted total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and gastrointestinal disorder are all granted as service-connected. The claims for fibromyalgia and memory loss have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than February 26, 2004 for awards of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA). The Veteran was found to have been employed in substantially gainful employment prior to that date.