Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, including SSA benefits information.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right-knee disorder, right-ankle disorder, left-ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as they were not caused by events or illnesses during active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and PTSD, is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU due to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was filed on November 8, 2005. The Board has determined that the effective date of service connection for PTSD should be set at November 8, 2005.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bruxism is related to his service-connected psychiatric disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neurological disorder, and TDIU due to issues with development of records and need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's son, K.R., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday due to various disabilities and is recognized as a helpless child for VA benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disorder and right knee scar associated with arthroscopic surgery are not rated higher than the current 70% and 10% evaluations, respectively. The case is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for insomnia and major depressive disorder with insomnia symptoms due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no causal relationship between his military service and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD) was granted, with an effective date of February 16, 2017. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's migraines, associated with major depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury, are now rated at 50% effective February 10, 2017.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, to include depression, was not present during service or for many years thereafter and is not related to any incident of service, including Agent Orange exposure.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not present during service or for many years thereafter and is not related to any incident of service, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental health and lumbar spine disabilities. From July 11, 2013, to February 20, 2014, the Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent; from February 21, 2014, forward, it is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and CUE issues due to their inextricably intertwined nature with his ongoing service connection and disability rating appeals.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for an increased evaluation and earlier effective dates for his service-connected PTSD, as well as a TDIU rating. The Board has ordered remand to obtain SSA records and clarify the Veteran's employment status.