Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's enlarged prostate, hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), mental disorder, hypothyroidism, and macrocytic anemia were not incurred or aggravated during active duty. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service, including herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's enlarged prostate was diagnosed many years after discharge and there is no medical evidence connecting it to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, manifested by depression, flat affect, mild cognitive slowing, sleep impairment, anhedonia and lethargy, has resulted in no more than occasional occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the entire appeal period. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is rated at 30 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a prior intent to file a claim before December 23, 2015. The appeal seeking a temporary total disability evaluation was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that his depression did not have onset during active service and is not otherwise caused by his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current mental health condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities, including tinnitus, a heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, right lumbar radiculopathy, right hip disability, major depressive disorder, neck disability, low back disability, and right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these issues.,The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus and heart condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine his eligibility for TDIU and SMC based on the need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as well as to clarify whether he has been employed in a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's vertigo is attributable to his active service.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied service connection claim for a psychiatric disability, which is now granted. The Veteran's current diagnoses of persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and panic attacks, and other specified sleep-wake disorder, sleepwalking are related to documented sleepwalking episodes secondary to stress during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a cervical spine disability, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Board also denied his requests for initial evaluations in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches, a compensable evaluation for TBI, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a cranium scar.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals of all the listed claims, including service connection and increased rating claims. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and private treatment records from Dr. J.L.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The effective date for this grant is June 29, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment beginning on July 28, 2016. The Board granted an effective date of July 28, 2016 for the award of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, to include as secondary his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome, with major depressive-like episode is service-connected because his right ankle disorder caused his mental health condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected major depressive disorder, an initial compensable rating for migraine variants, and service connection for IBS. Additional development is needed as per the instructions provided.