Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of major depressive disorder has been granted. His claims for tinnitus and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been denied, and both left knee disability issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hand disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression due to the Veteran not appearing for VA examinations. The case is returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating for neurogenic bladder and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity joint disabilities, a bilateral eye condition (characterized as blurred vision), migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, all of which are secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions began during or were related to his military service.

From October 17, 2012 to January 16, 2018, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities of depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain.

The Board has vacated the portion of the January 2019 decision that denied service connection for migraines and anxiety disorders. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder. The case is remanded to determine if migraines are proximately due or aggravated by the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, memory loss, and primary insomnia are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for depressive disorder, left knee degenerative joint disease, and post-operative chondromalacia of the left knee have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,No effective date is assigned as the appeal pertains to issues that have already been decided.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, MDD, and a left shoulder disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding diagnoses and etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and recurrent low back strain with degenerative changes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has been rated at 70 percent from July 11, 2005 to May 21, 2006 and 100 percent from May 22, 2006 to November 1, 2012. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective as of May 30, 2006. However, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent from November 2, 2012 remains pending and needs further review.

The appeal of the denial of an increased rating for hearing loss is dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for low back disability, left eye disability, and skin disability are granted. Service connection for left eye disability is also granted.,Entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder, vascular disease including hypertension, Raynaud's syndrome, headaches, low back disability, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and a compensable rating for right forehead scar are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a repressed memory of in-service sexual trauma.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for anxiety disorder due to new and material evidence, but has remanded it for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating higher than 70 percent for depression associated with tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment due to his depression symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, is related to his service aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for his psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied as he was employed prior to May 19, 2009 and his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable at that time.