Depression decisions — 2019

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of Individual Unemployability (TDIU) on a schedular basis prior to October 24, 2013, as there was no evidence showing the Veteran was unemployable due solely to his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease prior to that date.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and opioid use disorder. The evidence did not support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors or establish a causal relationship between current conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for splenectomy and sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The Board found no current diagnosis of or treatment for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder and residuals of neck injury, as secondary to service-connected disabilities, have been dismissed due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, Schnitzler syndrome, and prostate cancer. The claims for colon cancer, Peyronie's disease, residuals of lymph node removal, and an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction are withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the inextricability of his psychiatric disorder claim with his TDIU claim, and the improper consideration of the reduction of his right wrist disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as it has worsened. His TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability from the rating issue.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the February 2018 remand directives and therefore requires another remand for several reasons, including obtaining treatment records from April 2014 hospitalization at VA Medical Center and private treatment records from Laurel Ridge Treatment Center. A new VA examination is also required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD, depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder has been granted. Other claims have been remanded or are pending further review.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right knee scar is remanded, and he also appeals for a higher initial rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right knee scar is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of ischemic heart disease, depression, and lung cancer due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the earlier effective date for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder as the Veteran withdrew her appeal in a June 2019 correspondence. The case is remanded for further examination and rating considerations regarding the initial rating for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and rating for the Veteran's conditions due to their death.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for various conditions as they are not eligible due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is attributable to service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, insomnia, and depression, is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, and his combined disability rating is sufficient to grant a TDIU prior to August 3, 2017.