Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70% effective December 1, 2016.,Effective December 1, 2016, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder prior to February 6, 2020 is granted. A higher rating of 100 percent is denied as the evidence does not show total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD) is granted, as are his claims for headaches and a small finger disability of the right hand. The claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a right leg disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, specifically her claims of military sexual trauma (MST). The case is being returned for further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms, earlier effective date for increase of his depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms, and service connection for hypertension due to secondary service-connected conditions. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, finding that his service-connected PTSD is manifested by complaints of problems with anger and anxiety throughout the appeal period. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep disorder, cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, digestive system condition, bilateral foot condition, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective June 24, 2011. The Veteran’s lumbar strain is granted a 40 percent disability rating, also effective June 24, 2011. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU remains denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's eligibility for VR&E services, including pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology or Social Work. The AOJ must obtain all relevant records and arrange for a vocational rehabilitation evaluation.

The Veteran's private medical records show a PTSD diagnosis in 2009 and 2010, but the VA examination did not address these prior diagnoses. The Board finds the examination inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that the criteria were met on October 16, 2014. The Veteran was granted service connection and a TDIU award at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, are not related to service. The claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a nexus between any in-service stressors and his current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service, particularly her in-service sexual trauma.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of death due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of a clear rationale in the previous VA opinion. The Veteran's cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest due to renal failure and hypertension, but there is uncertainty about whether his psychiatric condition contributed to these issues.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for Major Depressive Disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to unclear evidence regarding the severity of MDD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder was denied since October 16, 2019. He is currently rated at 70 percent for these conditions effective from October 16, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression.