Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection to include an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, upper back condition, neck condition, and cataracts has been granted. The claims for the low back and upper back conditions are denied due to insufficient evidence of onset or relationship to service. The claims for the neck and cataracts conditions are also denied as there is no evidence showing their onset in service.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 40 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also found that he meets the requirements for TDIU prior to January 3, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. A new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The case is remanded to determine if there was a pre-existing condition that did not worsen during service or if any current conditions are related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, but he received a grant of TDIU effective July 21, 2012.,PTSD is rated at 70% since May 2008 and the combined disability rating is 80%. The Veteran's last day of work was on July 20, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depression, TBI, Posttraumatic Headaches, Right Patellar Tendonitis, Scalp Scar, Left Patellar Tendonitis, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her service-connected disabilities, including depression.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are found to be at least as likely as not related to his reported in-service stressors of observing the death of a fellow soldier during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disability (claimed as depression and PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and depression are REMANDED due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, should be remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as no such opinion has been provided in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that prior to June 20, 2014, there was no evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection is granted for this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service. The VA needs to schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess his current condition and its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's major depressive disorder, specifically his self-medication with alcohol and suppression of symptoms prior to seeking treatment in 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to determine if the Veteran had a major depressive disorder and/or PTSD in February 2005, which would affect the effective date of service connection. The issues of an earlier effective date and initial disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are most closely aligned with the criteria for a 50 percent disability evaluation.