Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher evaluation is warranted due to marked limitation of motion.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (Major Depressive Disorder) is remanded and requires further examination to determine if it is related to service or his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from November 13, 2014 due to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to this date remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's kidney disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to his service, particularly his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess his PTSD.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results. The claims for service connection of left knee disability, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including post traumatic stress disorder and depressive disorder) were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 10, 2011 for service connection of depressive disorder not otherwise specified was denied as there is no evidence that a request to reopen the claim was received before this date.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and his PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent. Both conditions meet the criteria for their respective ratings.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis was granted a 100% evaluation effective November 12, 2014. The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50%. Effective February 9, 2015, the Veteran received a 100% rating for his sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, has been granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran had symptoms of depression and anxiety during service and continues to have a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's verified in-service stressor of working at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's lower back disability and right ankle disability. The claims for PTSD and depressive disorder remain denied as there is no credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and records. The issues of service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has ordered a new examination for the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and PTSD with depression due to the lack of recent medical records and the possibility that current examinations may not have included necessary diagnostic testing.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his service in Bosnia. His lower back disability is also related to his service, as is his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating increases, and TDIU due to incomplete opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is required to provide an addendum opinion from a VA clinician and undergo another examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from December 19, 2006 to December 18, 2007. The Board will remand the issues for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.