Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, major depressive disorder, erectile dysfunction, and headaches. The decision is based on direct service connection as there are no allegations or evidence suggesting a presumption-based claim.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder has not been productive of total occupational and social impairment since April 6, 2017. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, can be decided. The Veteran's statements and current diagnoses suggest a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for hearing loss was denied in November 2011, but new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Tinnitus was also denied in November 2011. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted within one year of the denial.,Major depressive disorder and PTSD were remanded as there is conflicting evidence regarding their etiology, including a lack of review of the claims file by VA medical providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to insufficient evidence showing she is in need of regular aid and assistance, or substantially confined to her home.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his bilateral hearing loss claim is dismissed. His tinnitus claim is granted, and the Board has remanded other issues including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bowel impairment disorder, left leg sciatica, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and right leg sciatica.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression with anxiety, was denied. The Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease was granted.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder related to his military service, including PTSD.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection, as they started during his military service and continue to occur. His adjustment disorder with depression is also granted service connection, as it was aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder and a chronic headache disability, with the headaches being secondary to the major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is granted at a 100 percent rating, and he is granted TDIU prior to June 21, 2016. The appeal for service connection of neurobehavioral effects due to Camp Lejeune exposure is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for clarification on whether PTSD is claimed, as well as obtaining treatment records from 1975.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether his obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis, or aggravated by it.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD are granted, with a rating of 100 percent for both conditions. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied, but the issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for anxiety reaction and granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, hypertension, and major depressive disorder have been denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the award of service-connected right thigh muscle injury has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder (claimed as asbestosis) is partially granted. The claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic headaches, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disorders are all remanded.