Depression decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and granted TDIU from June 1, 2011 to March 14, 2018. The appeal regarding TDIU from March 14, 2018 is pending.

The Board has decided that a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety. The examiner should assess whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to her in-service personal assault. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, athlete's foot, lumbar spine disorder, sinus disorder, and pes planus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder due to insufficient information provided by the VA to corroborate the claimed stressor events. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or have their claim reviewed further.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development and examination due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 100% to 70%, effective August 1, 2015 for major depressive disorder was proper based on improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including providing proper VCAA notice, obtaining VA examinations, and updating the Veteran's mailing address.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been partially granted, with some issues being granted while others were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are not specified.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any currently endured acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, major depression, and PTSD. Additionally, a polysomnogram report for obstructive sleep apnea must be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for various service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disorders, carpal tunnel syndromes, and respiratory issues, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The appeals will be reconsidered based on new evidence and a thorough review of the Veteran's service records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, from the effective date of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with secondary alcohol use disorder, finding that the onset of these conditions occurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to verifying a reported stressor of military sexual trauma (MST) during service and providing the Veteran with a new VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement (NOD) regarding the January 2016 rating decision was timely filed due to VA not following its regular mailing practices and sending the notification letter to the incorrect representative.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a self-inflicted gunshot wound resulting in partial paralysis, as secondary to depression. The appeals are remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse was reduced from 50% to 30%. The Board found that the procedural requirements were not met and restored the original 50% rating.

The Veteran's mental disorder is granted service connection, but his asthma and sleep apnea are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from July 19, 2007.