Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted an effective date of October 14, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. However, the case is remanded to determine if a permanent total disability rating for PTSD should be granted.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions: rating for obstructive sleep apnea, initial rating for depressive disorder, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The remand is due to VA not obtaining medical records from the Mason City Police Department regarding the Veteran's arrests in 2007 and 2010.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70% after October 25, 2016. She also received a TDIU effective from August 1, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. The case will be returned for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are related to service. A new VA examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of anxiety and depression, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for hairline fracture of the right scaphoid. The Veteran is asked to provide any additional evidence submitted between May and December 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and his service-connected psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of active service and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no basis for granting a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to unclear information regarding exposure to Agent Orange in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder, a back disorder, and an increased rating for herpes progenitalis from September 30, 2014 to September 29, 2015 have been granted. The effective date is set at the filing of the claim on September 30, 2015.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. However, due to conflicting evidence and lack of verification of stressors, the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and increased ratings for calcaneal spurs and right ankle strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to military sexual trauma was denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of such disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for venereal warts and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected venereal warts, are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for depression is granted. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating for the service-connected left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for the Board to make a decision. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, manic depression and organic brain syndrome is denied. Service connection for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Defect Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is also denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, insomnia, and amnestic disorder have been rated at 70 percent since January 30, 2013. The RO reduced this rating to 50 percent in November 2017 but restored it to 70 percent effective November 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran must be provided with additional development related to his claims, including verification of non-combat stressors and a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to provide requested information and complete a VA Form 9 within one year of being asked.