Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The effective dates for the service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, and depression are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between her psychiatric disability and her service-connected vaginal hysterectomy.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for inguinal hernia. The claims for back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, myeloma, peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (left lower extremity), radiculopathy (right lower extremity), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) are remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for depression is granted. The appeal is allowed to that extent only, with remands for further development on issues related to his knees and TDIU.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are granted. The Board finds that the acquired psychiatric disabilities are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD, anxiety, and depression was denied in August 2011. New evidence has reopened the claim, and service connection is granted for PTSD with bipolar disorder.,Service connection is also granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, anxiety, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD prior to November 7, 2016 was denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted. As of November 7, 2016, the Veteran received a 70% rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, diabetes mellitus (type II), prostate disability (secondary to herbicide exposure), lung disability, and initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is February 9, 2012, while the effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are May 9, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service events.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for PTSD from 30% to 70% is granted. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to the service-connected PTSD and due to Gulf War environmental exposures, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD or pain from his other disabilities caused or aggravated his heart disease, which was the cause of death.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as service connection was reopened.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia), bilateral flat feet, left hip disability, right hip condition, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, heart condition, and erectile dysfunction is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent effective February 27, 2008 and a TDIU is granted from that date to December 19, 2016.,An earlier effective date for the award of service connection for depression is denied.

Throughout the rating period, a disability rating greater than 60 percent for infectious hepatitis and hepatitis C was denied. For the period from January 24, 2014 to July 5, 2017, a disability rating greater than 10 percent for depressive disorder was denied. For the period from July 6, 2017, a disability rating greater than 30 percent for depressive disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim of PTSD was reopened and granted service connection with an effective date of June 30, 2014. The claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and depression. The issue of service connection for alcoholism as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and procedural issues. The claims include service connection for various conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, sleep disorder, MDD, and GAD), hiatal hernia, GERD, PUD, chronic colitis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of both hips, degenerative joint disease of both knees, degenerative joint disease of both feet, conjunctivitis, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.