Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning in the January 2018 decision. The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Personality Disorder, Depression, and PTSD, is now pending again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety NOS with OCD traits, is rated at 70 percent effective August 18, 2010. The Veteran also receives a TDIU based on his psychiatric disability effective August 18, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's allegations of stressors and need for further development, including corroboration of alleged events.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The right eye blindness claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. The effective dates for service connection for headaches and depression have been denied.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected wrist disability, and a 40 percent rating for the left wrist disorder is granted effective February 20, 2013. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been raised.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for schizotypal personality disorder with depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 50% prior to November 9, 2018. The rating will be increased to 50% effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 90 percent combined, and the Board finds that they preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the threshold schedular TDIU criteria, and doubt is resolved in his favor as to whether they prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The VA must obtain all relevant medical records, including those from private treatment facilities, and schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, scar from heart surgery, and other conditions have been granted service connection. A 10% rating has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss as of September 11, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to consider all relevant stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his in-service personal assault and current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, anger issues, and suicidal thoughts, is being considered as potentially related to service or secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the current 50 percent rating adequately reflects the severity and symptoms associated with the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied. The initial evaluation of PTSD was granted at a 70% rating, but the case is REMANDED due to issues with TDIU prior to January 11, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his depression. The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression, which may be related to his service-connected left shoulder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, a rating in excess of 10 percent for IVDS from February 2008 to August 2018, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder from November 2015 onwards have all been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and impetigo, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a depressive disorder.