Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder resulted in significant impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating as of October 25, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to his death. Effective dates of November 13, 2002 for the residuals of a right femur fracture with hip strain and right humerus fracture remain on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder; heart disorder; and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's depression, allergic rhinitis, and fibrocystic breast disease are not service-connected.,The Veteran's lower respiratory disorder (COPD, asthma, bronchitis) and menstrual disability (amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea) require further examination to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeals for depression and anxiety were dismissed. Bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the issues of bilateral knee disability and back disability are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for depression due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and chronic pain syndrome) and fibromyalgia are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and persistent depressive disorder, did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The right eye disability issue was remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, that is related to service. The evidence shows that his mental health conditions are more likely due to pre-existing personality disorders and not caused by or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, and she meets the criteria for TDIU from September 25, 2008. The issue of TDIU prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of right ear surgery with chronic ear infection is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment) is also denied. The VA examiner found the Veteran does not have any diagnosed mental disorder.,The skin condition claim due to herbicide exposure remains pending as further examination is needed.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is related to service and the claim for this condition is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type (to include PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depression and Tinnitus, have precluded substantially gainful employment since May 27, 2007. The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 27, 2007 for the grant of total disability individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the decision favoring the Veteran.,Service connection for PTSD with MDD is granted at a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is related to his service and has granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, left leg amputation, peripheral neuropathies in both upper and lower extremities, vocal cord paralysis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issues of service connection for high blood pressure, seizures, hepatitis C, degenerative arthritis of the spine with back pain, and fragment in left knee are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her anxiety and depression, as well as TDIU, are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100% since November 1, 2013, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, inability to establish effective relationships, intermittent periods of unemployability, and near continuous panic and depression.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, NOS; entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, bilateral knees; and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for sinusitis prior to October 29, 2014, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.