Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were rated at a 50% disability rating from May 8, 2018 to April 15, 2019. After the VA examination on April 15, 2019, the rating was increased to 70%. The Veteran experienced significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied. The Veteran's depression and right shoulder tendonitis with degenerative arthritis are both rated at their maximum levels, but the Veteran's headaches secondary to trauma do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's depressive disorder is being remanded for further examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates in all three issues: TDIU, SMC based on housebound status, and DEA benefits. The reasons were that these issues had already been decided by a final January 2019 decision.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 28, 2011, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is denied. The case is remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for somatic symptom disorder with major depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran also received entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

An effective date of March 27, 2009, is granted for the grant of service connection for PTSD. For the rating period from March 27, 2009 to February 7, 2012, a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has stayed adjudication of all cases affected by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, including this case.,Service connection is denied for erectile dysfunction, depression, bilateral sinus condition, upper and lower teeth problem, bilateral CTS, stomach condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lung condition.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. The effective date remains to be determined as the Veteran did not submit claims until June 23, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records, specifically regarding the Veteran's periods of Active Component Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Reserve service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bipolar disorder and manic depression.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for clarification on suicide attempts. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate previous examinations and the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stress related disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective October 16, 2015. The decision finds that the Veteran's condition results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder prior to January 31, 2017 was denied as his symptoms did not warrant such a rating.,A 70 percent disability rating for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder from January 31, 2017 onwards has been granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim effective March 27, 2015 has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and SMC based on need for aid and attendance (A&A) for the Veteran's spouse due to insufficient evidence. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a bilateral eye disorder, and SMC are now pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-related head injury and his later suicide, which caused his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion from a May 2019 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The examiner did not adequately explain how no disability was superimposed on his personality disorder during service, relied solely on absence of documented treatment, and required an addendum opinion.