Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and type II diabetes mellitus are found to have worsened, necessitating a new VA examination to assess their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 30, 2012. The RO has granted a TDIU for the entire appeal period from March 30, 2012 to June 2, 2016.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for OSTSRD is granted, but service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder) are denied. Service connection for OSA is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric claims, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the nature and onset of his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and left ankle osteoarthritis, are deemed to preclude him from following substantial gainful employment. The Board has remanded the matter for further consideration by the Director of Compensation Services.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to insufficient evidence to corroborate in-service stressors and establish a nexus between current mental health conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and PTSD, anxiety, and depression has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be reviewed again with the provision of proper notification and a VA examination.

The Veteran's GERD, UDD, and right index trigger finger conditions have been granted increased ratings. The ED condition remains at a non-compensable rating. Effective April 9, 2017, the Veteran is now eligible for a 30% disability rating for his UDD.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence in remission was denied, as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability was granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) prior to April 28, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for MDD since April 28, 2015 was also denied. The medical evidence supported no more than a 70 percent rating due to the presence of certain psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 7, 1998, for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and for a rating in excess of 20 percent for this condition. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims as they are now moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA medical opinion and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including medications used to treat them, are being evaluated for their potential role in causing or aggravating his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and depression was dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the appellant's service was dishonorable due to a general court-martial conviction for sexual abuse of his step-daughter. The character of discharge bars VA benefits, as he would not have been eligible for a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable at the end of his first obligated period of service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his level of impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.