Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to January 20, 2017 and denied for a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's depression is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and depression.,The Veteran's high blood pressure (hypertension) is not granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability level beginning November 16, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various conditions, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, and mental health disorders. The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are mixed due to some issues being granted while others were denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate May 2016 VA examination report. The Veteran's history of depressive symptoms and sleep impairment since service needs to be considered in a new examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current chronic knee disorder or low back disorder, and the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied. The claims for sciatica, acquired mental disorders, and cystitis are remanded as additional medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified depressive disorder and ADHD, finding no nexus to service.

The Veteran's depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from March 13, 2015 to August 14, 2016. From August 15, 2016, the Veteran's depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, finding that it is caused by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have worsened since his last VA examination in February 2016. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated treatment records and conduct a more current VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 70 percent for his anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his anxiety and depressive disorder not otherwise specified has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been withdrawn.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. However, further development is needed to determine the etiology of any current mental health disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for postoperative scars of the left shoulder, and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for status post Bankart repair of the left shoulder. The Veteran's depression was granted at 100% effective April 19, 2007, but his other appeals were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and nightmare disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The effective date of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and nightmare disorder is May 28, 2010, as this is the earliest date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The decision also grants TDIU from February 2, 2013.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depression. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD and depression are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service sexual assault and his acquired psychiatric disorders. The VA must attempt to develop information needed to corroborate the alleged in-service assault, and schedule a new VA examination to clarify all current psychiatric diagnoses and assess their etiologies.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to inextricably intertwined claims of CUE in previous denial decisions. The case will be returned to the RO for adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and new VA examinations.

The Veteran's daughter is recognized as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18, based on her mental health conditions and inability to support herself.