Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The issue of service connection for bilateral pressure-induced otalgia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, right knee condition, brain condition, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's treatment records need to be obtained, including VA and private records from before 1998.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (depression and fibromyalgia) prevent her from maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, and for bruxism on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to January 8, 2018 and at 20 percent thereafter. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.,Service connection for persistent depressive disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to her service-connected right wrist tenosynovitis and depression preventing her from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The initial disability rating for the right wrist tenosynovitis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to her service-connected right wrist tenosynovitis and depression preventing her from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The initial disability rating for the right wrist tenosynovitis remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are not related to his active duty service and are more likely due to post-military depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's depression is related to his service. The claim will be reviewed again after a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine DDD and DJD, lumbar spine DDD status post fusion, or headache syndrome with migraine features. The issues regarding radiculopathy, special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, facial disfigurement with scars, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. The claim is remanded to assign an initial rating and effective date for the newly established service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and granted a rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at the highest possible disability level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues of PTSD, depression, sleeplessness, inability to concentrate, and sexual disorder are being reviewed.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate cancer, sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran timely perfected an appeal regarding her claim for an effective date before October 20, 2009, for the grant of service connection for a major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, a VA medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety, major depression, and panic disorder or prescribed medications contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there was no in-service event or injury and the condition did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied due to the maximum schedular rating already assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's claim for effective dates prior to August 27, 2013 for grants of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and major depressive disorder was denied as there is no legal basis for such a retroactive assignment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The case was remanded for further examination and treatment records regarding eczema.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her claimed sinusitis, heart/cardiovascular disability, hypertension, sleep disorder, and depression. The VA is required to provide a new examination or obtain medical opinions in order to determine if these conditions are related to her military service.