Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depression, and polysubstance abuse is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (headaches and depression) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of recent VA examinations and records. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and adjustment reaction disorder with depression and anxiety are both being evaluated, as is his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, was rated at a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to July 29, 2015. For the period beginning July 29, 2015, the Veteran is currently in receipt of a 50 percent disability rating. The appeal regarding service connection and exposure basis is not addressed as it does not pertain to this decision.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to October 16, 2008 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and translations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus was denied, and the psychiatric appeal was remanded. The diabetes mellitus increased rating appeal is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied in November 2011 and again in September 2013. The Board remanded the case for additional development. In May 2015, a VA examination showed that the Veteran met the criteria for PTSD based on in-service stressors but also had other psychiatric disabilities unrelated to service. The earliest date of entitlement was January 5, 2016.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' of her father due to insufficient evidence showing she was permanently incapable of self-support prior to turning 18 years old. The appellant had a history of employment and did not meet the criteria for being considered a helpless child.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder has been reopened. The case is remanded for further development including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, anxiety disorder NOS (PTSD spectrum/PTSD features), and depressive disorder NOS are granted. The claim for a back disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to his service-connected broken jaw from an assault during active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pending TDIU claim and requests for further development of the major depressive disorder rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and the relationship between his diagnosed psychiatric disorders and service. The Veteran is required to provide more specific details about the alleged incidents, and a VA examination will be conducted to determine if PTSD is related to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 are remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including a copy of the police report and updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition related to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and tinnitus were rated at 50% prior to October 24, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and depressive disorder are granted service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to incomplete records, and the claims for Meniere's syndrome and headaches are also remanded.

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disorders.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder and major depressive disorder) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea (related to service-connected deviated nasal septum and rhinitis), left hand disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) are all granted. The Veteran's deviated nasal septum and rhinitis do not warrant a compensable rating.