Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for service-connected depression through May 10, 2018, was denied. The Veteran also had his claims for increased ratings for service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) and left knee DJD were denied. A separate initial rating of 10 percent for left knee instability is granted effective October 11, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding in-service stressors and the need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, will be evaluated based on their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), back condition, and right shoulder disability has been reopened. The heart condition claim was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and completing a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea should be remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, including his back disability and depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected dyshidrotic eczema and major depressive disorder were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The remands are necessary because the May 2019 VA examination is inadequate in addressing the Veteran’s occupational and social impairment related to his service-connected PTSD, and also due to the interdependence of the TDIU claim with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU due to a need for further examination and review of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including opinions on service connection for psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for left knee, right knee, and right eye disabilities are denied as well as the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further rating determinations on his service-connected low back strain, right ankle sprain, and left ankle sprain.

The Board has denied an increased rating for PTSD and MDD, but granted a TDIU. The case regarding service connection for diabetes due to herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records and complete a VA Form 21-8940 (Application for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include major depression, finding no competent and credible evidence of a link between his military service and his current mental disabilities.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder (claimed as PTSD with depression) is currently rated at 30 percent prior to May 3, 2019 and 50 percent thereafter. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim for prior to April 1, 2010 is denied, but a TDIU is granted starting from April 1, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability and increased rating for PTSD with depression have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disorder, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, sleep apnea, depression, and congestive heart failure due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing SSA records related to service connection claims.