Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinea pedis and unguium were granted a 60 percent rating effective September 19, 2016. The appeal is remanded for further development.,COPD and variously diagnosed psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) are also being remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death (cardiovascular disease) is not service-connected, and he was not rated totally disabled by VA at any time. The Veteran’s major depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His left and right knee disabilities were also found to be within the range of normal function.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, is granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and effective dates for increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use of extremities, blindness in both eyes with 20/200 visual acuity or less, and other specific requirements.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability are being remanded due to the addition of new medical evidence. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for review.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional evidence and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's depression has been granted a 100% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim is dismissed as it is no longer relevant due to the grant of a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound, finding that her service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for such assistance.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70% effective February 10, 2014. The Board granted a higher rating for his depressive disorder based on the severity of symptoms and occupational/social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to the lack of credible evidence supporting a combat-related stressor in Kuwait. The Veteran's symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted initial ratings of 10 percent for shin splints of the right leg, left leg, folliculitis of the bilateral arms, otitis externa of the left ear, and blepharitis of the left eye.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder does not require the care or assistance of another on a regular basis, and he is not housebound due to his service-connected disability. Therefore, entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is only 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities). Service connection was denied for lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on recurrent tinnitus was withdrawn. The Board granted the TDIU claim due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral fibromas, Major Depression and an anxiety disorder secondary to service-connected disability, but denied service connection for arthritis of the chest cavity secondary to service-connected melanoma.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as to assess the severity of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability is granted.,The Veteran's requests to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of a bilateral super rectus fader operation, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety are granted.,Service connection for bipolar disorder is granted.,An earlier effective date of December 5, 2005, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for a left ankle sprain is granted.,An earlier effective date of December 5, 2005, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for a right ankle sprain is granted.,An earlier effective date of February 22, 2012, but not earlier, for the award of an increased rating to 10 percent for status post left wrist trauma with arthroscopy with triangular fibrocartilage complex is granted.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the award of an increased rating of 10 percent for the right wrist sprain is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for hypertension is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for status post left foot trauma is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for status post left knee ACL repair and medial meniscectomy with residual degenerative arthritis is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for chronic cervical strain is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need for a complete record, including SSA disability records.