Depression decisions — 2019

The Board denied the claim to reopen service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to show a relationship between the Veteran's military service and his suicide.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate disability ratings are remanded due to the need for new examinations. The right thumb condition, PTSD and depression, and TBI will be evaluated.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent from January 23, 2013 until July 12, 2019. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability is granted from the same date.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and major depressive disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony of in-service personal assaults and traumatic events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and depression, finding that there were insufficient reasons provided in the original decision. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and bulimia nervosa is rated at 70 percent, effective February 16, 2018. The rating reflects the Veteran's occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic depressive disorder with anxiety and alcohol abuse was granted on March 13, 2017. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted as the Veteran did not submit a prior unadjudicated request or relevant service department records after a final rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depression, including a lack of verification for his reported in-service stressor. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional mental health care professional review and opinion, including reviewing the Veteran's foreign service in Turkey.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied. The Veteran's request to reopen the claim was granted due to new evidence submitted since the May 2011 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, as both are related to her major depressive disorder. The VA examination must be rescheduled due to notification issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions, their relationship to his active service, and whether he had a psychiatric disorder that caused his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and a right knee disability secondary to his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are currently rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings was denied. The VA determined that the current disability ratings did not adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected conditions, but found no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened, but the Board is remanding his claims for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for additional psychiatric disorders due to in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to his diagnosed PTSD and major depressive disorder, which were found to be related to his active service. The mental disabilities caused him to take his own life in August 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and depression, has been reopened. The Board has decided to remand the issue of determining whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD, with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, is rated at 100 percent effective August 18, 2017. The Board finds that the Veteran’s symptoms have worsened since his last examination, leading to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diverticulitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder with depression disorder and unspecified dementia due to incomplete service treatment records and new medical evidence.