Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea and a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether he can secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.,A new medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 22, 2010 was denied because she did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 60% or more. The Board found that the Veteran could obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to her educational background and previous work experience. For SMC, it was denied as there was no single, permanent service-connected disability rated at 100%, nor an additional disability independently rated at 60% or more.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement prior to January 15, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim is being reopened on new evidence provided during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for major depressive disorder was improper and restored it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition and bilateral knee condition is being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for throat cancer, to include as due to exposure to herbicide (Agent Orange), is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for depressive disorder and service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. The claim of service connection for left foot disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and records.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder, unspecified adjustment reaction, unspecified depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.

The Veteran's depression with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder prior to February 1, 2018 was rated at 30 percent due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,From February 1, 2018, the Veteran's condition from anxiety and depressive symptoms was rated at 50 percent due to reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU since October 29, 2018, but the claim for TDIU prior to that date is denied. The decision also denies entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 29, 2018.

The Veteran's mental condition is rated at 70 percent, which corresponds to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's dementia is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. He is also granted SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which require him to be in need of regular assistance. The Veteran is also eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress, opioid and cocaine use disorder, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, depression, and other acquired psychiatric disorders related to in-service personal assault.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, needs to be remanded due to incomplete in-service records and the need for a supplemental VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but not higher, prior to November 3, 2016, for major depressive disorder has been granted. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as of November 3, 2016, is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, schizoaffective disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, panic disorder with agoraphobia, paranoid delusional disorder, psychotic disorder NOS, and anxiety disorder NOS. The decision is based on the evidence showing that these conditions began during service and are related to his combat-related stressors.