Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was granted, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions were denied, while the claim for TDIU was granted. The effective date of a 30% rating for bronchitis is April 17, 2015.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded for further review, including obtaining SSA records and determining the eligibility for substitution. The DIC claim remains inextricably intertwined with the substitution issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are related to his active service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The Board finds that the new and material evidence received since the last final rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, thus reopening the claim.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 30 percent, and his TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of April 9, 2019. The depression rating remains unchanged as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. However, the TDIU was granted earlier than previously considered.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depression was not productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to September 28, 2015.,From September 28, 2015, the Veteran’s generalized anxiety disorder with depression has not been manifested by symptoms analogous to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, depressive disorder, COPD, neurological disorders of lower extremities, and hip disorders. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Thoracic Spine, as well as his claim for TDIU. The remand is due to insufficient evidence from recent examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of his claims related to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claims for depression, left wrist pain, and right wrist scar have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are remanded.

The Veteran's MDD is granted at a 70 percent rating effective November 23, 2009. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD and the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for hernia are denied. TDIU is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for erectile dysfunction, an increased rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and a TDIU claim due to insufficient medical opinions and examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety. The claims are being returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a lumbar strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple sclerosis with bilateral lower extremity paresthesias and loss of use of both lower extremities, meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's PTSD, characterized as anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia, is rated at 70 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, dysthymia, unspecified anxiety disorder, and general anxiety disorder.