Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, should be remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of left hip osteoarthritis as it was granted in a previous rating decision. The issue of secondary service connection for anxiety, depression, and PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bursitis of the right hip, left hip, sacroiliitis (low back condition), and major depressive disorder have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection remains denied for gastritis, cervical strain secondary to patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and left shoulder impingement and arthritis (left shoulder condition).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The claim for service connection is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether his depression was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, while the TDIU claim remains deferred.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition, major depressive disorder, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's pre-existing foot conditions are not considered to have been aggravated by his military service, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to secondary effects of his peptic ulcer disease.,Service connection was also denied for depression as it is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. The Board found that sleep apnea did not have its onset in service and is not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), to include a determination on whether it is at least as likely as not that this condition was aggravated by a service-connected low back disability. The case will be further developed and reviewed with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions, as well as his post-traumatic headaches, are being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a non-initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for migraines has been granted as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, specifically visual impairment, hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, as she has the necessary education and experience for a sedentary job.

The Veteran's left foot sprain with calcaneal spur is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, effective October 30, 2017.,A separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the left ankle associated with a left foot sprain and calcaneal spur is granted from October 30, 2017.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression disorder is rated at 70 percent from March 9, 2007 to June 13, 2013. The claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for meningitis, renal failure as secondary to meningitis, headaches as secondary to meningitis, PTSD as secondary to meningitis, depressive disorder as secondary to meningitis, and anxiety disorder as secondary to meningitis. The Board found that the appellant does not have any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed. The appeals for the remaining conditions were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, was productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 3, 2017. An increased rating of 50 percent, but no higher, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema has been granted TDIU effective February 2013, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted as of August 11, 2017.,The Veteran’s other service-connected disabilities include depressive disorder (rated 70%), headaches (rated 50%), lumbar strain (rated 10%), tinnitus (rated 10%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (rated 10%), patellofemoral syndrome of right and left knee (noncompensable), hypertension (noncompensable), acne vulgaris (noncompensable), temporalmandibular joint dysfunction (noncompensable).