Depression decisions — 2019

Service connection for low back disability is denied. A rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is granted, effective December 11, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 21, 2017. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI and PTSD is granted. The claims for neck disability, right foot disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and separate rating for depression are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. Service connection was denied for right upper extremity numbness and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD, is granted a rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's tinnitus and TDIU claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in determining whether there was a need for a medical examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are now subject to further review.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Veteran's abdominal scarring and shin splints were denied service connection. The Veteran's lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left leg shin splints with moderate knee disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, generalized anxiety disorder with major depression prior to April 11, 2016, sleep apnea, GERD, right wrist sprain with avascular necrosis, status post removal of necrotic bone, psoriasis, diabetes, right ankle sprain, right knee disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder, chest disorder, residuals of head injury including scar, and vocal chords disorder are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with depression is granted effective June 11, 2015. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition), sleep apnea (claimed as sleeping condition), and hypertension are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the case is remanded to attempt verification of his reported stressors. The Veteran also has a pending increased rating claim for his bilateral wrist disability and TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service sexual harassment and assault.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and coronary artery disease have all been granted service connection. The Veteran also received an increased rating for his depressive disorder.

The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than March 7, 2002 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder.,The Veteran also seeks an effective date earlier than June 18, 2008 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left ear sensorineural hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, right knee degenerative joint disease (right knee disability), obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The Veteran is now receiving a 10% rating for his allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to January 10, 2014, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient efforts to identify the appellant's current mailing address.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board denied service connection for left hand and left foot cysts with residuals, as the evidence does not show a nexus to active military service or presumed herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection was granted for meningioma, but only based on a remote head injury during military service. The Veteran's depressive disorder claim was denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for Major Depressive Disorder is denied, and his thoracolumbar spine condition remains at a 10 percent rating. The case is remanded for further development regarding the higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder, effective from May 18, 2006 to October 29, 2018, and after March 1, 2019, is granted. The decision also grants a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.