Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and MDD remains under review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected Raynaud’s Syndrome. Service connection for Raynaud’s Syndrome prior to March 11, 2009, is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin condition, bilateral eye condition, left knee disability, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's MDD with PTSD features have been rated at 70 percent since September 30, 2016. From September 30, 2016 to March 14, 2017, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for persistent depressive disorder was denied in a June 1998 Board decision. The RO granted the claim on September 24, 2009, and assigned an effective date of that day. The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, were granted an initial rating of 70 percent prior to September 20, 2017. Since then, the rating has been denied for any higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities and depression, finding no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to active service. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was set at May 20, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive asthma, sarcoidosis, and major depressive disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's exposure to environmental irritants during service is conceded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, particularly from correctional facilities and inpatient treatment at a military hospital in Germany. The Veteran's mental health conditions are being investigated further.

The Board has granted service connection for liver cancer, which is presumed to have been incurred in active service due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claim for depression remains pending and will be remanded for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and notification for a claim based on military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD have been reopened, and both conditions are now considered for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, epigastric pain, and PTSD is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at November 3, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA treatment is remanded as the Board cannot make a fully-informed decision without further examination and evidence.

The Board has remanded both the claim for an increased rating and the TDIU claim due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. A new VA examination is required to provide a clearer understanding of his current symptomology.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is found to be etiologically related to active military service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors and a need for an opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Nonspecific Depressive Disorder. Additional development is needed to verify the claimed stressor and determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to active duty service.