Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected Raynaud’s syndrome. The decision gives the Veteran the benefit of doubt and finds that his depression is related to his Raynaud’s syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with obtaining medical records, determining the nature of his conditions, and assessing their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several knee and spine disabilities, as well as his PTSD and depressive disorder have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of a higher rating for persistent depressive disorder prior to October 28, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for persistent depressive disorder and PTSD; a higher rating for lumbar spine chronic muscular strain superimposed on degenerative instability; and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide sufficient information regarding the combined effect of his multiple service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service connection for GERD was granted. The appeal for increased ratings on several scars and other issues were denied, with some issues being remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder prior to July 13, 2011 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (throat cancer and major depressive disorder) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shin splints, depressive disorder, sleep apnea, stroke residuals, and headache disability have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left hand disability, left little finger disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and PTSD, as well as the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and Vertigo were denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Sleep Apnea was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be so severe that they prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's depressive disorder but does not grant it due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was found to not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent or a rating in excess of 70 percent from April 12, 2019. The Board determined that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened. The Veteran's low back disorder, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis are all remanded for further development. A psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor for PTSD. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 7, 2018 is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with associated psychosis, social anxiety disorder, depression, and cognitive dysfunction, is found to be related to his military service.