Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms cause significant social and occupational impairment, warranting an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is stayed. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, hiatal hernia, and PTSD are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, claimed as nervous problem is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's headache disorder is not service-connected, and the Board found no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran’s major depressive disorder has been rated at 50% since June 24, 2013. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for low back disability and depression due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, residuals of TBI, memory loss secondary to TBI, and hypertension are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied because it does not constitute a compensable disability under VA compensation programs.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders present during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depression due to lack of evidence at the time of the August 1998 rating decision, despite some diagnoses in earlier VA examinations. The Veteran's claims were reopened based on new evidence received after that decision.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits related to education and training for a career as a licensed social worker is remanded due to incomplete documentation. The AOJ must obtain the Veteran's medical records, assess his current employment feasibility, and provide him with vocational rehabilitation assessments.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, right knee disability, tension headaches, and a psychiatric disorder (to include depression), finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest due to or as a consequence of acute myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, is related to his service-connected conditions. The Board found the opinion provided by the VA provider to be probative in determining that the Veteran’s service-connected physical and mental disabilities contributed to the development of coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted service connection. The Board found the preponderance of evidence shows a current acquired psychiatric disorder is causally related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was granted a disability rating of 30 percent prior to January 9, 2014.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for depression claimed as a mood disorder and remanded to determine if his major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected migraine headaches and lumbar strain.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the underlying stressor being his experiences of harassment and assault by fellow soldiers during active duty.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional evidence, including SSA records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hepatitis C due to a lack of adequate VA examinations. The Veteran testified about in-service assaults, post-service diagnoses, and potential exposure to hepatitis C through air gun inoculations and tattoos.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while his major depressive disorder is granted a 30 percent rating. His coronary artery disease from June 13, 2013 to October 12, 2016, remains at 60 percent.