Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sleep disorder and major depression, finding that further development is needed.

The rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 30% to 10%, effective September 1, 2014. The Board found that this reduction was improper and restored the original 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the dates and locations of service in Saudi Arabia, as well as the need for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder was denied in April 2003, and the effective date of this decision is final. The Veteran filed a new claim to reopen his PTSD claim on March 7, 2013, which resulted in an effective date of March 7, 2013.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. Service connection for persistent depressive disorder is granted.

A higher initial rating of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is granted as of April 2013, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, recurrent major depressive disorder and agoraphobia, is granted service connection on a direct basis. The Veteran's sexual dysfunction is also granted as secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective January 8, 2015. The disability is characterized by deficiencies in most areas, including work and social relationships.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to pain from her service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's depression, migraine headaches, and thoracolumbar strain with IVDS are all found to be proximately due to her service-connected conditions. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied. Other claims for increased ratings have been decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as aggravated by his service-connected HSV. The claim for direct service connection of the depressive disorder remains unresolved.

The Board denied service connection for back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for depression due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his increased evaluations for lumbar spine and major depressive disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since June 14, 2010. The rating is granted as the Veteran’s condition meets the criteria for occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The appeal for TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied the claims for initial ratings higher than 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion and anxiety and depression, finding that there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder has rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression with symptoms of suicide and anger, bipolar disorder, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted an initial 20 percent rating, while other conditions remain at their current ratings.