Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for depression and secondary service connection for a substance abuse disability, both of which are related to the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the psychiatric appeal, including claims for PTSD and depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that a uniform 70 percent evaluation is warranted for the entire period on appeal, based on symptoms such as flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Veteran's depression symptoms more closely approximate a level of severity warranting a 70 percent rating, but no greater.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that it does not warrant a higher rating.,Issues related to peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and hysterectomy are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with MDD is granted, effective from August 12, 2012. The Board found that the evidence showed the Veteran had a current mental health condition at the time of his initial application.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include substance abuse, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder other than substance abuse.

The Veteran's mental disability is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of total social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding service connection for TMJ. The effective date of her grant of service connection for depression with anxiety and insomnia is denied as it should have been earlier than May 2, 2013.,Her initial rating for depression with anxiety and insomnia prior to June 20, 2016 was denied as the symptoms did not meet or approximate a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and will require a VA examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service. The issues of erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, MDD and other trauma related disorder. Additional medical examination is required.

The Veteran's depression is remanded for a VA examination to determine its onset and relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD and schizophrenia, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service events or injury. The current diagnoses of major depression and major depressive disorder were not shown to be caused by service-connected schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as due to a miscarriage that occurred during inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The Board found the evidence supports her claim and grants service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted. The increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and the TDIU from September 4, 2015 to September 20, 2017 are granted. A disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. Special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted. The service connection for a headache disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for an acquired mental health disorder (including depression and anxiety) and tinnitus. The lumbar spine disability is found to be aggravated by in-service injuries, while the other conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, recurrent strain with rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for headaches secondary to service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine with cervical muscle strain has been granted.

Service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as Major Depression and Adjustment Disorder, is granted. The reduction of the fibromyalgia rating from 40% to 20% effective March 29, 2013, is granted. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy) have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.