Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD with depressive disorder was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 18, 2015 to October 11, 2016.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with alcohol and cannabis use disorders is rated at 70 percent, effective from July 1, 2016.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied due to the Veteran's willful misconduct in causing his motor vehicle accident, which resulted in these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection with an effective date of June 20, 2017. The remaining claims for throat cancer, depression, thyroid disorder, loss of taste, and hemorrhoids were all denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, now characterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder, is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of any current psychiatric disorders to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus has also been denied, as there was no prior claim within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral eye disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral foot disorder in a previous remand.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, hepatitis C, liver disease and cirrhosis, but denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for her acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, is granted effective March 29, 2012. The effective date prior to this grant is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines are not related to his military service and thus, service connection is denied. The GERD with hiatal hernia, painful joints (claimed as knees and ankles), depression, and PTSD issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a depressive disorder secondary to other conditions and multiple physical impairments related to diabetes and Agent Orange exposure, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since at least November 16, 2012. The Board has granted TDIU from that date. However, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 16, 2012 is remanded due to evidence suggesting he may be unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and headaches as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability, lupus, and sleep conditions has been granted. The reduction of the rating for status post left shoulder surgery with residual strain from 10% to noncompensable (zero percent) effective April 1, 2018, was found to be proper due to clear and unmistakable error in assigning duplicate ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder due to a lack of confirmation of an in-service stressor involving abuse/military sexual trauma. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder, results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating than 70 percent have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for redundant penile skin with corrective surgery for hypospadia, headaches, erectile dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, and depression. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (redundant penile skin) while others were not (headaches, erectile dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, depression).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of December 11, 2013. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD from February 26, 2010 through September 29, 2013 was denied. A 70 percent rating for PTSD from September 30, 2013 to February 17, 2014 was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to April 25, 2016 and denied for a higher rating. From April 25, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent and denied for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his service. However, due to incomplete records and need for further examination, the case is being remanded.