Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for hypertension has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for depression, as it requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in a previous decision, but he filed a new claim on April 26, 2013. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is April 26, 2013, as this was when VA received his application to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, dissociative disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, finding that the Veteran did not engage in combat during active duty service and there was no verified or verifiable stressor. The Board also found that any diagnosed psychiatric disorders were not related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reopened, but the case is remanded to determine if OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for migraine condition, hypertensive vascular disease, and depression due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted. PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted, but with remand for increased rating evaluations. The claims for TBI and migraine headaches are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for depression, NOS, prior to October 15, 2015 and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The need for a VA examination is also noted due to inconsistencies in the record regarding the severity of his service-connected depression.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, as secondary to a back condition due to the lack of current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent disabling, which renders the issue of TDIU moot as it no longer meets the criteria for a separate disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion. The issue of whether his other diagnosed conditions are related to service is also pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C and a higher rating for major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including mental health treatment during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for depression is granted. The claims of service connection for asbestosis, PTSD, and anxiety are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. The issues of service connection for PTSD and anxiety are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding no current disability. The Veteran's tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder claims are remanded for further development.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of a current disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia and major depressive disorder, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, finding that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and depression. As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination regarding his psychiatric, respiratory/pulmonary, and OSA conditions.