Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection as they are related to noise exposure in service.,The Veteran's depression has also been granted service connection, with the opinion stating it is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chest disability. The claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, hepatitis C, depression, loss of balance, sinusitis, upper extremity numbness, chest numbness, and increased ratings for a ventral hernia and surgical scar are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disabilities. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, breathing disability (including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), vision loss disability, cervical spine disability, dizziness, sleep disability, degenerative arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, lower extremities, elbow disability, scoliosis, and traumatic brain injury are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and specially adapted housing due to inadequate development of evidence related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have a current psychiatric disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, consisting of major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since May 15, 2014. Prior to that date, the Board granted a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, adjustment disorder with depression, is granted as service connected. The diagnosis was established during active service and continues to affect the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied because there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period and the medical records do not support a link between his military service and his claimed condition.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for right knee strain from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective July 11, 2017, was improper and has ordered restoration of the prior rating. The Veteran's cervical spine, depressive disorder, lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and scar, residual injury right ring finger disabilities are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The appeal of the reduction in rating from 50 percent to 30 percent for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is dismissed. The case is remanded for further action on the increased rating and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is shown to have been aggravated by his service-connected knee, lumbar spine, wrist and tinnitus disabilities. Service connection for the depression is granted.

Service connection for PTSD with MDD is granted, effective May 21, 2015. Service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another person as a result of his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with a VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of his diagnoses and their relationship to his reported in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to clarify his diagnoses and determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise that the current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, including combat stressors experienced during active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all issues except nonservice-connected pension, which was also withdrawn.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2015 rating decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will obtain additional medical records, conduct a psychiatric examination, and provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.