Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and a TDIU were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's depressive disorder disability is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and whether he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence of in-service stressors for PTSD and a lack of medical opinion linking current diagnoses to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and readjudicating his claims for increased ratings. The issues include service connection for OSA and initial rating increases for major depressive disorder and insomnia.

The Veteran's depression, NOS, is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period. The follicular nodule of the thyroid is rated as noncompensable. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The appeals for service connection for asbestosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not show a link between the current disabilities and military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of depression is not related to her time in service or due to or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted service connection, and the respiratory disability claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depressive disorder with anxiety, and anxiety disorder. The examination must determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service experiences.

The Board denied increased ratings for IVDS, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with IVDS, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for prostate disability and numbness of the fingers as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. However, his claim of service connection for depression due to a service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his major depressive disorder, right knee disability, and back disability have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU with an earlier effective date remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorder) are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hiatal hernia, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression were decided. The claim for hiatal hernia was withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression. Right ear hearing loss is denied. Compensation claims under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded for further review.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and a need for further examination. The Veteran is presumed to have a current depressive disorder related to service, but more evidence is needed to establish this.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence indicating that the Veteran may have an acquired psychiatric disability, including mood disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The VA will provide a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are found to be due to military sexual trauma, which is considered presumptive under VA law.