Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of right foot drop, left foot drop, low back condition, and depression are still pending as they were not fully adjudicated in the original decision. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and pancreatitis.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, chloracne, hypertension, and depression. The cases are remanded for further development regarding in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD, TBI, and MDD effective January 20, 2016. The effective date of this decision is the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the relationship between his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the in-service stressors and that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder prior to July 27, 2012 was denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is now rated at 70 percent effective October 15, 2016. His right shoulder disability has been granted a 40 percent rating since May 22, 2013, and a 30 percent rating from May 22, 2013 to May 25, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent or for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The claims file was not reviewed for new evidence submitted after the RAMP election form.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. The Board grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The symptoms have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was not present in service and is not otherwise related to service or service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current psychiatric symptoms and his service-connected heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rosacea, asthma, enlarged prostate, chronic lower back pain, and major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected acne have been granted. The claim for service connection for asthma has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD are denied due to lack of diagnosed conditions during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability is denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to this condition.,The Veteran's claims for right ankle and left ankle disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The claim for service connection for mental health conditions including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and dysthymia is denied. The claims for right knee disability, pes planus (flat foot), and degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded.

The Veteran's MDD disability is rated at 70 percent for the entire initial rating period on appeal, effective June 12, 2012. An earlier effective date prior to June 12, 2012, for the grant of service connection for MDD is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by, at least, employment that has less interaction with people.