Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, and the effective date is set at October 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran’s request for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability remains denied as there is no evidence that forward flexion is 30 degrees or less, or that favorable ankylosis has occurred.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent since November 3, 2017. The Board found that the evidence supports this rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lower back condition, left leg condition, left knee condition, bilateral hips conditions, bilateral ankle conditions, bilateral foot conditions, anxiety, depression, COPD, headaches, and loss of right kidney are denied.,Right knee and right leg conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and a need for further examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in October 2006 and again in January 2011. The Veteran filed a new request to reopen her claim on February 26, 2016, which resulted in the grant of service connection for PTSD effective that date.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD but does have diagnoses of anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcoholism which are related to his period of service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 70% disability rating for major depression, effective from May 1, 2012. The reduction of this rating was not proper due to lack of material improvement in the service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder with alcohol abuse and polysubstance abuse. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider evidence of sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dizzy spells, a sleep disorder, a headache disorder, and depression due to potential secondary relationships. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after a previous denial of service connection for PTSD. A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates with respect to his evaluation for tinnitus and hearing loss have been dismissed as a matter of law. The Board has also remanded several issues related to increased evaluations and earlier effective dates for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability was reopened and granted, with an initial rating of 50 percent.,Service connection for depressive disorder NOS was also granted, but the Veteran is not entitled to a higher initial rating or earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10% prior to February 20, 2014. From that date until November 13, 2017, the rating was increased to 30%. The decision grants a 30% rating for PTSD as of February 20, 2014, and denies any higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder was granted a disability rating of 70 percent from November 24, 2008 through August 12, 2014.,A higher disability rating in excess of 70 percent for the period beginning August 13, 2014 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic depression resulted in total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, auditory and visual hallucinations, and multiple suicide attempts. The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral sprain, has been granted. The effective date is set at March 26, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression) is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service. The Veteran's back disability does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the service connection claim for depression because new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.