Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his mental health condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea and unspecified depressive disorder are granted service connection on a secondary basis due to their association with his service-connected left foot disability.,Service connection for the Veteran’s right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, hypertension, and tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms of suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and anger warrant a 70 percent rating for PTSD. However, other issues related to service connection remain on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was initially rated as 30 percent disabling prior to November 16, 2015. From that date onwards, the rating was increased to 50 percent.,Effective from June 26, 2010, a 10% disability rating for lumbosacral arthritis is granted.

The Board dismissed the earlier effective date claim for sleep apnea service connection and granted a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and depression.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for right foot injury, right finger deformity, right wrist injury, depression with alcohol abuse, and a back condition are remanded.,An addendum opinion is needed regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), sleep apnea, and headaches. The Veteran's left wrist, neck, back, and neurobehavioral effects of tension and confusion claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU was withdrawn by his representative.,An effective date prior to September 18, 2008, for the grant of service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is denied.,Prior to October 10, 2009, a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, as well as potential aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right foot disabilities are granted, with the exception of a higher rating for his major depressive disorder. The appeals for service connection on all other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and new evidence needs to be considered.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is denied because the earliest factually ascertainable date that he was entitled to SMC based on aid and attendance was September 23, 2013.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine injury but granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's current lumbar spine injury and depressive disorder are not currently shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder effective March 6, 2012. He was also granted TDIU from May 15, 2012.,The effective dates were adjusted to reflect the correct dates of these decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, and dismissed the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for depression is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for depression and kidney dysfunction due to lack of a medical opinion on their etiology.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for a depressive disorder was not based on clear and unmistakable error, thus restoring the 30% disability rating effective March 1, 2015.

The Veteran's right knee disability and depressive disorder were evaluated, with the right knee receiving a combined rating of 20 percent from December 14, 2017, and the depressive disorder receiving separate ratings of 30 percent since February 26, 2009, and 50 percent since April 6, 2011. The appeals were denied as there was no evidence supporting a higher rating for either condition.