Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) due to failure to respond to VA examination notifications.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to major depression, granted a rating of 100% for major depression, and remanded the issues of effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a personality disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD has been reopened. Service connection is granted for sinusitis but the claims for sleep apnea, cancer (right carotid body tumor), and left elbow disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder, has caused significant occupational and social impairment. The Board granted a TDIU due to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for syncope, but denied an extraschedular rating and TDIU. The Veteran's disability picture is analogous to narcolepsy or minor seizures occurring at least twice every six months on average.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety and PTSD; and for hypertension. The VA examinations are required to address these issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's depression is not service-connected as secondary to his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and has ordered a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder. The claims of secondary service connection for sleep disorder, GERD, hiatal hernia, IBS, and ED are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues are related to back injury residuals, COPD, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, skin cancer, and neuropathies of the hands and extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease, pes planus, and onychomycosis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and for an effective date prior to September 19, 1996 for the grant of service connection for stable angina.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his chronic leg pain, right leg impairment, right knee disability, right foot disability, and right hip muscle strain. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service. The decision also noted that depression was not related to service, but may be aggravated by a service-connected condition (coronary artery disease).

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are currently rated at 70 percent prior to September 16, 2014, and from February 1, 2015 to May 1, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating during these periods.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nexus between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his military service. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disability, including depression, is attributable to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The issue of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability was also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hip disability, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, pelvic disability, headaches, and depression. The decision also remanded issues related to a rating increase for epilepsy and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, and sarcoidosis due to potential issues with the evidence provided. The Veteran's mental health conditions are being reviewed further by an addendum opinion, while his sarcoidosis is being evaluated again to determine if it was misdiagnosed during active duty.