Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his stroke residuals and knee disabilities, have left him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder with somatic/panic symptoms, is granted as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder, cervical spine, and tinnitus disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, chronic bronchitis, and a psychiatric disability were denied in January 2004. The effective date for the award of service connection is set at January 7, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 20 percent for his ankle sprains and major depressive disorder with anxious distress are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with an initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder. Service connection is also granted for bilateral pes planus and limitation of extension right knee and patellar dystrophic calcification right knee. The claim for lower extremity restless leg syndrome is denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran's claim for residuals of pneumonia, alternatively claimed as a lung disability, is reopened.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder was dismissed. The appeals for extraschedular evaluations for right arm tendonitis and mechanical low back pain were also dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression), arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, degenerative changes of the left and right ankles, and bilateral pes planus. The issues have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, back disability, bunions, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury, event, or disease that would support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. Service connection for dermatitis involving the neck and arms is remanded due to lack of relevant medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient private treatment records and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed, as well as his claims for depression and fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA examination and etiological opinion to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to his service. The effective date of any award will be determined after further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, stress fractures in the legs and feet, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) due to outstanding evidence and additional development being required.

The Board has denied service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus, and major depressive disorder as these conditions are not considered disabilities under VA laws. The claims for diabetes mellitus and major depressive disorder secondary to thoracic lumbar strain have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether his major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS causes or aggravates his diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for insomnia is denied, and his evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected insomnia is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disorder and denied both his original claim of service connection for a right eye disorder and his secondary service connection claim for severe depression. The Board found that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports reopening the claim, but did not find any link between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that it was incurred in service due to the Veteran's witnessing of two suicide events involving fellow soldiers.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and a left shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The VA psychological examination in November 2014 diagnosed the Veteran with unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including mood disorder and depressive disorder NOS, is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar herniated disc. Service connection for this condition is granted.