Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating. The effective date for this award is October 4, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and reviews of evidence.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions would have warranted a discharge for disability at the time of his separation from service and whether there is a relationship between his now service-connected PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and the immature personality disorder diagnosed during service.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are directly related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depression is currently rated at 50 percent, effective February 5, 2010. The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's death was caused by alcoholism, which the VA found to be related to his service-connected mental health conditions (depression and anxiety) stemming from combat experiences in Vietnam. As a result, the Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for his cognitive disorder with recurrent major depression with paranoia and posttraumatic stress disorder, secondary to Parkinson’s disease is denied. The claim of a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TDIU are remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records, including those related to Foumier's gangrene, alcohol abuse, and social impairments. The VA will conduct a new examination to assess the impact of these conditions on his employment capacity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and inadequate examination, requiring a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the failure to conduct a requested DRO hearing. The issues of service connection for major depression with anxiety and stress, and entitlement to SMC based on housebound criteria are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU. The claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and a right-hand disability have been granted. The rating for the left thumb amputation has also been granted at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical information regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, was incurred in service or preexisted and was not aggravated by service. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 27, 2012. The Veteran also received a TDIU from October 1, 2015 to October 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for hallux valgus and pes planus with plantar fasciitis, as well as an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for pes planus with plantar fasciitis, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete military personnel records and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Depressive Disorder, are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's depression is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it was incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder and bipolar personality disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or any other condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. Additionally, TDIU due to the totality of his service-connected disabilities must be adjudicated on a schedular basis.