Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression (claimed as anxiety and nervous condition) has been reopened, but the Board is remanding the case to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding whether his current major depressive disorder is related to his military service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 22, 2011. A TDIU based solely on the service-connected lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities is granted since January 15, 2010. Effective December 22, 2011, SMC at the 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) rate is granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for anxiety, depression, anger issues, sleep disturbance, and paresthesia conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus and remanded his claims for service connection for other conditions due to lack of timely NODs, but found that the July 2015 rating decision denying back condition and temporary total disability was final. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying a motor vehicle accident stressor during active duty service in Germany and for a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted with effective dates of March 18, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 17, 2010 for the award of service connection for depressive disorder. The issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right elbow disability are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the earlier effective date claim granted in this decision. The Veteran's increased rating claims for major depressive disorder and TBI are also remanded due to their interrelation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder causes him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including chest pain, left side pain, right side pain, and depression, have been granted. However, the claim for a bilateral eye condition remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and needs further examination for service connection of psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, particularly regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, finding that there was no evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent evaluation of service-connected depressive disorder is granted. The increased rating and TDIU claims are denied.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The appeal for other conditions related to herbicide exposure has been stayed.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary major depression is productive of total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.