Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS is granted, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran also receives a TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depression had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's headache disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted service connection.,Effective dates for the awards of service connection are not specified in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has been diagnosed with MDD, GAD, and depressive disorder secondary to medical issues including pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, along with right and left upper extremity radiculopathy. High cholesterol or hyperlipidemia is denied due to it being a mere laboratory finding. Service connection for hypertension and residuals of stroke are also granted, but the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for these grants remains pending.

The Board has reinstated the Veteran's 70% rating for PTSD and reversed the discontinuation of his TDIU award since April 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for mood disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression.

The Board has determined that the July 2018 VA examination is inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation. The Board also found no basis to grant TDIU or SMC based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and depressive disorder have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder) have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected conditions, specifically migraines, hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left side tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hemorrhoids associated with IBS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal of his initial rating for persistent depressive disorder was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was rated at 70 percent from January 23, 2015 to April 13, 2018. The increased rating for coronary artery disease and the TDIU claim are remanded due to new evidence.

The Board finds that there are pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the issues must be remanded back to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction for supplemental opinions.

The Board denied an effective date prior to April 27, 2005 for the award of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and PTSD) as no relevant service department records have been added to the record since the issuance of final decisions in 1993 and 1995. The Board also denied an effective date prior to April 27, 2005 for a TDIU due to lack of legal merit.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his appeal for an increased rating for his psychiatric disability was also denied.,Service connection for major depressive disorder has been granted with a current effective date of December 23, 2012.