Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 70% effective March 1, 2016. The decision is based on the fact that his symptoms worsened and met the criteria for a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for a new one.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and depression. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service, particularly the alleged sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further adjudication of the issue regarding an increased rating for lumbar strain, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in reducing the disability rating from 20% to 10%. The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and obstructive sleep apnea are still pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to its current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are supported by evidence and there is a positive nexus between his current diagnoses and his service.

Service connection is granted for depressive disorder and headaches as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection is granted for left shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD), right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes), residuals of a right eye injury, and unspecified allergy disorder.,Service connection is granted for left shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD) and right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD).,Service connection is granted for left knee disorder and right knee disorder.,Service connection is granted for left hip disorder and right hip disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The claims for PTSD and MDD have been remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records since the May 2017 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to be related to his military service and granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and initial evaluations are not fully resolved due to procedural issues or lack of evidence supporting the requested increases. The case is therefore remanded for further action.

The Veteran's headaches and major depressive disorder are found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU award.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating effective June 11, 2012.

The Board has determined that the previous VA examination is inadequate and an additional opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD caused or aggravated his hypertension is required.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating greater than 70 percent for his anxiety disorder and depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and radiculopathy, is being remanded due to the need for a clarification on whether the service-connected conditions are at least one cause of the Veteran's depression.