Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 100 percent rating, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an examination. The Veteran is presumed to have PTSD related to his Vietnam service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to adjudicate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from October 12, 2011 until March 17, 2014. The issues of service connection for right hand and second finger disorders, left hand disorder, and left ankle disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's bowel impairment is not service-connected, but he was granted compensation for depression due to a lack of proper skill in performing the bowel program by a VA nurse.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing he was unable to secure or maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional development is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent since July 16, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected PTSD, head and neck cancer, cirrhosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperthyroidism, and depression. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, alcohol abuse, and depression, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to verify stressors and determine if they are related to his service.

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, GAD, and depression are related to his service. The case is being remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was granted service connection, but the initial rating of 30% is denied. Service connections for bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability were all granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, postoperative residuals of a perirectal abscess excision, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered her unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and a TDIU prior to June 12, 2019 are being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records and another VA psychiatric examination. The case will be reconsidered and an SSOC issued if necessary.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and migraines, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of onset in service or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and erectile dysfunction were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis, finding that it was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence of a disability during the pendency of the claim.