Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating claim for depressive disorder is dismissed. The Board has also remanded his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities preclude him from gainful employment, leading to a TDIU prior to October 29, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating since April 28, 2011. The VA determined that the condition resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxious features, major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied in July 2010. The effective date of the grant of service connection is January 29, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting diagnoses and need for further medical examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, are being evaluated based on new evidence. His sexual dysfunction is also under review.

The Veteran's initial rating for hearing loss of the left ear was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for depression was granted, with the opinion that the condition is related to service due to misbehavior in personnel records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and need for further examination. The issues include bilateral cataracts, hypertension as secondary to DM2, and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious features is granted as secondary to service-connected cervical strain, migraines disorder, and tinnitus.,Left ear hearing loss has been granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a seizure disorder is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea is granted. The rating for his depression from 70% to 50% effective October 1, 2016 was not proper and has been restored to 70%. His claim for a higher rating than 70% for depression remains denied. The Veteran's headaches are service-connected as secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's current unspecified depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder does not alone create an inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation after December 12, 2013. Therefore, TDIU benefits are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with major depression was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to PTSD, major depressive disorder, and cognitive impairment. The decision found that there was no new evidence or legal basis to grant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and a higher rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to January 22, 2016, or a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The examiner is instructed to review the record and determine if the Veteran meets the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD and whether it is at least as likely as not related to a verified stressor in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features is rated at 100% and her GERD associated with the condition is rated at 30%. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD was denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder claim was granted.,Service connection for depressive disorder is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service.