Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder from October 23, 2013 was granted.,The issue of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders is still pending and has been remanded.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for headaches is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and anxiety disorders, is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for muscle aches, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for joint pain manifesting in the knees, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disability manifesting in diarrhea, to include as due to a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness or an undiagnosed illness, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has been granted a 100 percent schedular rating for the entire period on appeal, and as such, his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability prior to April 1, 2015 is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received and grants the reopening of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing the onset or aggravation of such condition during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is granted, but with a rating of 70 percent. The effective date for this award is March 28, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the claims file, and the Veteran did not waive initial consideration of this evidence by the AOJ.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD with alcohol dependence and depression. The issue of hypertension was withdrawn by the Veteran during his October 2018 hearing.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for her service-connected PTSD with Major Depression.,The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD with Major Depression remains at 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically his unspecified depressive disorder and adjustment disorder. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder with mixed features result in the need for aid and attendance of another person due to memory impairment and the requirement of more than one insulin injection per day.

The Veteran's RLE radiculopathy is now rated at 20 percent effective from February 15, 2018. Other conditions remain unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, tachycardia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), residuals of a shrapnel wound to the head, and a right knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to in-service injuries or diseases.,The Board found no indication of any current disabilities for OSA, tachycardia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), residuals of a shrapnel wound to the head, and a right knee disability. The Veteran's statements regarding these conditions were not credible.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a fungal condition and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and an adjustment disorder. Further development is needed as VA treatment records are required, the stressor must be verified, and opinions on etiology need to be provided.

The Veteran's appeal for prostate cancer has been dismissed.,The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD prior to January 9, 2018. A higher rating is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent beginning January 9, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding a link between his combat-related stressors and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder manifests in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were reopened due to new evidence received since the prior denial in November 1990.