Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notification and development for a claim of service connection for PTSD, as well as the need for an examination to determine the etiology of all acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's personal assault during service is also under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression. The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is now pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current conditions are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a history of combat in Vietnam, which is related to his current depression.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for sick disorder. The appeals for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are remanded.

The Board denied the claim to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depression, OCD, and PTSD. The new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to July 14, 2016 and has remanded the issue of whether a higher rating is warranted from that date forward. The Veteran's symptoms have been found not to meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 30 percent prior to July 14, 2016.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected right and left foot disabilities.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) claim has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and MDD, finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The issues of service connection for headaches and hypertension have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in a prior medical opinion, and instructed that an appropriate VA examiner should provide an opinion on whether any current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from September 24, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that no written communication requesting such a claim was received before September 30, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance nor substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have been granted a 100% rating for the entire appeal period, effective as of the date of the decision. The claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot due to the grant of a 100% schedular evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the lumbar strain issue. The hypertension claim is reopened, and a 50% rating is granted prior to March 25, 2019 for major depressive disorder. A 70% rating is granted since March 25, 2019. The right knee disability appeal remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected major depression, is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether he has a separate current sleep disorder and if so, whether it is related to his major depression.

The claim for PTSD is dismissed. The claim for major depressive disorder is granted. Claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the current diagnosis of depressive disorder was caused by an event experienced during his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety, depression, and substance use as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left arm condition. The case is remanded for further rating considerations and TDIU evaluation.