Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 6, 2014 for PTSD is dismissed as the RO granted a higher effective date of June 20, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions pre-existed service and were aggravated by service. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including verification of in-service stressors and clarification of diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD that meets DSM criteria and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and dysthymia) and left eye cataract are related to his military service.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 50 percent, effective September 24, 2014. The Veteran's left knee disability prior to March 5, 2013, is rated at 10 percent. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are granted, with a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is service-connected as it was incurred during her active duty.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for major depressive disorder effective June 13, 2019. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) since May 1, 1995.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and right ankle disorder are granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a facial scar is set at December 11, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral knees due to incomplete development. The Veteran's sister stated that his behavior changed after returning from overseas during active duty, but this evidence was not considered in previous opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to support the reopening of her claim. However, the claim is still pending as further development is needed due to insufficient medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her in need of regular assistance from another person for daily activities or to protect herself from hazards, thus denying her claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

A 30 percent initial disability rating for a depressive disorder is granted from January 24, 2014 to July 6, 2017.,The claims of entitlement to higher ratings for infectious hepatitis and hepatitis C as well as TDIU prior to July 6, 2017 are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether his psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and other conditions, finding that her current symptoms are linked to military sexual trauma experienced during service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and right ankle disability have been granted service connection, with a 20 percent rating for the right ankle. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's GERD and service-connected psychiatric condition are being remanded for further evaluation. Additional VA treatment records, including from the Jacksonville VA Medical Center in 1992, need to be obtained. A new opinion is required regarding whether her GERD is related to her military service or aggravated by her service-connected depression.