Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's depression is not a separate disability from his PTSD. The right radial nerve paralysis warrants a 50% rating since November 14, 2016. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at a 100 percent rating prior to June 5, 2017, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected depressive disorder due to new evidence and testimony indicating worsening symptoms. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess his current severity and manifestations of the condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as major depressive disorder and schizoaffective disorder depressed type. However, the case is remanded due to additional psychiatric diagnoses not addressed in the July 2013 VA examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are etiologically related to service. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and his current psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's current mental health conditions had their onset during his active military service, with the sleep apnea being aggravated by his major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) status post laminectomy and an acquired psychiatric disability (depression), to include as secondary to a back disability, were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received since the April 2008 denial of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, as well as right ear tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the final denial raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, major depression, low back disability, cervical spine disability, and diabetes mellitus, rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment from March 24, 2010 to November 19, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral hearing loss disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety and sleep impairment is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's cause of death due to presumed natural causes, finding that his PTSD and MDD are related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and depression, are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was withdrawn prior to a decision.,His bilateral hearing loss is rated as zero percent since June 7, 2012. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's character of discharge was upgraded to under honorable conditions (general), thus removing any bar to VA benefits. The underlying merits of the service connection claims will now be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability evaluation for depression and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination.

Service connection for headaches has been granted. The Veteran's tinnitus is already at the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and effective dates earlier than November 8, 2013, for service connection for tinnitus and hiatal hernia have all been denied. The Veteran has also had his claim for a compensable evaluation for hiatal hernia and residual scars remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, acquired psychiatric condition (to include bipolar disorder and depression), sleep apnea, and multiple noncompensable disabilities prior to November 8, 2013 have all been remanded.