Depression decisions — 2019

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence showing that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death. The Veteran's cause of death was listed as massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to esophageal and gastric varices, and hepatitic C cirrhosis with portal hypertension.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for his 100 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder and dysthymia, as well as basic eligibility to Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder was reopened due to new evidence, and the Board has now granted this claim.

Service connection is granted for depression, but the claim for narcolepsy remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for a rating greater than 30% for depressive disorder and for effective dates of TDIU and Chapter 35 benefits. The Veteran's medical records, including recent ones, need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied as there is no evidence of record showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.,The Veteran's claims to reopen his previous claims for left and right knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, a right leg disorder other than a right knee disorder, a right ankle disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and requests another VA examination for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain, right and left knee conditions, a neck condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder as it was incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his preexisting psychiatric condition did not increase in severity during or as a result of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment, as the symptoms were controlled by medication.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, depression, and hypertension are granted. Claims for right leg disability (claimed as a right shin injury), hernia of the upper torso, kidney disease, cyst of the left armpit, and diabetes mellitus remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The back and knee disabilities are remanded for additional examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder prior to June 20, 2018 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,From June 20, 2018 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression, fatigue and lethargy is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive nerve evaluation.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of radiculopathy in both upper and lower extremities are also remanded as current evidence does not provide a clear picture of their severity.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder. The issues of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and migraines are remanded. The Veteran's claim for medical care under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed as moot.

The appeal for service connection for hypertension is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and chronic rhinitis are granted. Service connection is denied for lumbar spine DDD, DA, and left hip disorder.

Service connection for major depressive disorder, headaches aggravated by tinnitus, and cervical spine disorder is granted. A 70% disability rating is assigned effective July 1, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent since May 13, 2014. The Veteran’s lumbar spine strain is currently rated at 20 percent.,The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability remains on appeal as it was raised in conjunction with the increased rating claim for PTSD.