Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, secondary to his service-connected low back disability, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current psychiatric disability and concluded that the Veteran presented with malingering. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined rating of 50% did not meet the criteria for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and/or anxiety; for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his psychiatric disorders; and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's stroke residuals are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, has been reopened and granted. The claims for bilateral shoulder and low back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his MDD with substance abuse disorder is rated at 70 percent. Both ratings are denied.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for major depressive disorder with social phobia and ADHD was improper, and therefore restored it. The discontinuance of TDIU due to this severance is also considered improper.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as his residuals from an extended spinal epidural abscess were not caused by VA treatment.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability, major depressive disorder, and hypertension have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is also established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, sleep apnea, and depression have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was evaluated as not warranting a higher rating prior to November 8, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder was evaluated as not warranting a higher than 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, and headaches. The issues of secondary service connection for bilateral hip pain, lumbosacral strain, a heart disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and toe disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, Major Depression, and lumbar spine condition) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's depression with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability, as he maintains good relationships and continues to work throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder symptoms have been rated at a 50% level, but the Board has granted a 70% rating due to more severe impairment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and neurogenic claudication are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, a separate rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, TDIU, and DEA benefits are all denied. The effective dates for these decisions are not earlier than November 28, 2014.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective October 30, 2014. He also receives TDIU benefits since that date.,He was previously granted a 50% rating for his anxiety disorder in August 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right elbow disability and psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as secondary to service-connected residuals of fracture of right ring finger due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.