Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals regarding cataracts, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder were dismissed. The appeal for service connection for the variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was granted. The appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, finding that the in-service incident of a personal assault likely occurred and resulted in pre-existing depressive disorder becoming worse.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected depressive disorder prior to August 16, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected depressive disorder after August 16, 2018 was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, thus the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his reported in-service stressor and exposure to herbicide agents. The claims will be further evaluated after additional verification is conducted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for neurobehavioral effects, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of a neurobehavior disorder throughout the appeals period.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is reopened. The claim for service connection of hearing loss in the right ear and left ear hearing loss are denied. Service connection for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current tinnitus had its inception during a period of active service, thus granting service connection. Service connection was also granted for bilateral knee disability based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The psychiatric claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a factual increase in disability prior to the date of receipt of her intent to file a claim, which was June 30, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU effective January 2, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records from Brooke Army Medical Center and Darnall Army Medical Center, notifying the Veteran that his records from California Men’s Colony do not exist, and providing an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's statements of mental instability during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's depressive disorder and any other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service, including combat service in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability. The VA examiner must provide an updated opinion on this matter.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting acquired psychiatric disorder was not aggravated beyond its natural progression during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified depressive disorder, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, sciatic radicular pain, leg conditions, hip condition, low back pain, headaches, vision (claimed as bad eyes), and sarcoidosis have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that it had its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 2005. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70% or 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted as service connected.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. However, the case is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and mild major depressive disorder have not caused the level of impairment required for a disability rating higher than 30 percent during the appellate period, resulting in an effective denial of his request for a noninitial increased rating.