Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of all psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and MDD, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board also remanded the issues regarding PTSD and anxiety disorder for further development.,The Veteran was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in 2017 but did not meet DSM-5 criteria at that time. A new examination is needed to determine if his anxiety disorder is related to his reported in-service trauma.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 23, 2007 for the grant of Total Disability Independent of Regular Employment (TDIU) based on service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his reported military stressors. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type II due to a stay by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent prior to May 9, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a right shoulder condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including depression and PTSD) and a right shoulder condition are both being remanded due to procedural deficiencies in previous rating decisions.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU and an increased rating for PTSD have been withdrawn by her representative, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is dismissed as he withdrew the issue from appeal.,Service connection for left and right knee conditions, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, is granted due to continuity of symptomatology since service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence, is granted based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury is granted due to a documented in-service skull fracture.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and substance use disorder is rated at 70 percent from July 31, 2017. The GERD with history of duodenal ulcer and peptic ulcer disease is rated at 60 percent effective as of July 27, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. For the entire appeal period, a rating in excess of 10 percent for depressive disorder is denied from February 20, 2017 onwards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding no current disability to support the claim and insufficient evidence of a causal relationship between any present psychiatric disorder and military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD, has been rated at 50 percent since the initial rating decision. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and insomnia. The examiner needs to address whether these conditions are related to service or if they clearly existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and reopening of a previously denied tuberculin reaction claim were all denied. The adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety was rated at 30% prior to May 19, 2015, and 50% thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claims, specifically related to a sexual assault while in civilian custody during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD based on combat experiences and a sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent from January 22, 2014. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left eye condition, claimed as secondary to a traumatic brain injury (TBI), has been reopened. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for major depression and conversion disorder, both related to TBI.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The Veteran's OSA was not incurred in service nor caused by a service-connected disability. His current depression is more likely related to situational stressors rather than his service-connected disabilities.,For the headache (migraine) disability, the Board granted a 50 percent rating since April 23, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, PTSD, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, gastrointestinal problems, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, and right foot disorder.