Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, tinea cruris, and a left knee disability are on appeal. The claims will be remanded to obtain updated treatment records and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit additional evidence. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury.,Service connection for depressive disorder, NOS was granted with an effective date of December 14, 2010. The Veteran did not file a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Major depressive disorder have been granted.,Service connection has not been reopened for MERSA.

The Veteran's heart condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities, and squamous cancer left cheek with residuals have been granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's dementia and Alzheimer's with depression were denied as not related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy was granted on a secondary basis to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and depression disabilities met the schedular requirements for a TDIU effective July 20, 2011. The claim was granted within one year of meeting these criteria.

The Veteran's depression disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His atrial fibrillation disability is rated at 100% since August 9, 2012 due to chronic congestive heart failure and regurgitation valves. Other conditions are denied or not addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 70% rating for service-connected major depression disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (psychiatric disability) from March 5, 2010 is granted. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to a secondary service connection claim for a seizure disorder. The SMC appeal will be reconsidered after addressing the service connection issue.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, due to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and her TDIU claim are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the last decision.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depression and TDIU are being remanded due to missing documents in the file.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they primarily include occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal of claims for service connection for mild superimposed degenerative joint disease at the fact joints, herniated disc, lumbar laminectomy (claimed as lumbar condition due to surgery L4-S1), and a migraine condition is dismissed. The claims for entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and a nervous condition are reopened.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities reached 100% effective July 31, 2012. The Board found that he was not entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 3, 2009.,From April 3, 2009, the Veteran met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU but his application indicated he was enrolled in college courses and pursuing environmental technology.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for a mental condition (claimed as memory loss, sleep disturbance, and depression due to an undiagnosed illness), PTSD, muscular pain and joint discomfort (claimed as due to Anthrax injections), GERD, and tension headaches. The Veteran's service personnel records need to be obtained, and new VA examinations are required for the service-connected tension headaches and GERD.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for psychiatric disability, tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as TDIU were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, left foot scar, intervertebral disc syndrome/lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have all been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these grants are not earlier than February 13, 2003 (depressive disorder), June 17, 2015 (left foot scar), May 9, 2012 (intervertebral disc syndrome/lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities).,The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board denied an initial rating greater than 70 percent.