Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with heroin abuse in full remission and depressive disorder not otherwise specified is granted a 100 percent rating, representing total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a separate 10 percent rating for cranial nerve VII due to Frey Syndrome should not be earlier than March 2, 2015. The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of alternative forms of evidence, including lay statements from family members or fellow service-members.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's MDD with panic disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted a TDIU from March 1, 2015 to September 29, 2016 due to service-connected orthopedic and mental health disabilities preventing the Veteran from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The March 2, 1988 rating decision denying service connection for Right Knee Disorder was found to have been based on CUE.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran’s migraine and tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting prostrating attacks occurring several times per month.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder due to new evidence and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are outstanding VA records that may be relevant to reopening the low back condition claim. The left knee and major depressive disorder claims are also remanded due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the low back condition claim.

Service connection for a depressive disorder is granted.,Previously denied claims for service connection for neck disability, head injury residuals, recurrent headaches, and diabetes mellitus are reopened.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's depression is related to his service, excluding schizophrenia and personality disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and additional medical evidence is needed. The issues of left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities are related to National Guard duty time which needs to be verified. The psychiatric disorder claim requires additional treatment records and a VA examination. Sleep apnea and hypertension are inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, and a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to active service or his claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. However, the reopened claim itself was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to May 23, 2016 is denied. The Board found that the disability was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to the date of the VA examination on May 23, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, needs to be remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of MDD and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.