Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent prior to December 27, 2018 and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For the period starting from December 27, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 4, 2012 for the grant of SMC at the housebound rate was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for depression/depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it is related to service or his service-connected shin splints.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records, and requests additional evidence and examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 5, 2012 for PTSD is granted. An evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD is granted from that date. The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as his PTSD alone meets the schedular criteria for a 100% rating. SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) is granted due to the Veteran's PTSD, which causes him to require daily supervision for activities of daily living.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, depression, and PTSD, are related to his military service.

Service connection for a low back disability is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, depression, and PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 29, 2014, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to obtain relevant medical records and to provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and information regarding his right foot disability, as well as to determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a mental disability due to military sexual trauma is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.,A right wrist disability, status post distal radius fracture, has been granted with a separate 20 percent rating effective from May 31, 2012.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. However, the claim for service connection of a condition manifested by tremors remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease was denied. The initial rating of 50% for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, but the effective date remains pending as additional evidence has been added to the record since the most recent supplemental statement of the case. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is granted with an effective date of June 2, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic adjustment disorder with depression, hypertension, sleep apnea, and insomnia were denied as the evidence did not show a current disability or relationship to military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), to include anxiety and depression, is related to his active service. The claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with painful motion is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, and neurological disabilities of the upper extremities have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also received increased ratings for his migraine headaches and a TDIU effective July 2014.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the claim is denied. The Veteran's left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) was denied. A TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected depression (claimed as PTSD) is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the current severity of his disability, and development is needed for TDIU claim due to his psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new diagnoses of psychiatric disorders and a sleep disability, requiring additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.