Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection issues were addressed.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and he contends it should be higher. The Board finds that a new examination is necessary to determine the current severity of his condition, as well as whether his TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with his increased rating claim.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma related disorder with major depressive disorder.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for depressive disorder was clearly and unmistakably erroneous because there is not clear and unmistakable evidence to show that her depression started during active duty training (ADT). The Veteran's statements indicate symptoms starting prior to ADT or during later service.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right index finger fracture has been granted at 10 percent. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder due to lack of evidence in the record.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to multiple disabilities, including spinal stenosis, GERD, depression, tinea pedis, hepatitis, hypertension, tinnitus, herpes simplex, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine surgery, and falls. The case is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.,Service connection is granted for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Unspecified Depressive Disorder, as well as bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further review on the issue of secondary service connection to pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service personal assault and PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, which he claims was caused by military sexual trauma. The VA needs to obtain additional records and conduct a new examination to determine if there is a link between his current mental health conditions and his alleged in-service event.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. The VA examiners' opinions are considered significant weight in this decision.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder are rated at 70 percent, granting a higher rating than previously assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with nightmare disorder is being remanded for further evaluation, and the issue of TDIU will be reconsidered as it may be significantly impacted by the decision on the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have been rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the disability rating for the Veteran's left finger disability was not proper and must be restored. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability, an eye condition, and an increased rating for the service-connected left finger disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus due to incomplete records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any missing SSD records, medical records from the March 2011 hospitalization, and complete service personnel records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated 70 percent disabling, and the Board denied an increased rating. The low back disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, and depression, is granted service connection. The neck disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected depression, migraine headaches with cervical myofascial pain, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related. The claim for service connection for depression is granted. The evaluations for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus remain at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective April 29, 2013. The rating was increased from a previous 50 percent.