Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and GAD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's request to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and anger issues, is granted. The Board has also remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran’s claimed stressors and for a clarification of his current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder was denied as there was no pending claim prior to October 29, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic trochanteric bursitis is found to have caused his acquired psychiatric disorder, depressive disorder. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal in June 2019.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for back condition and lung cancer. The claim of reopening service connection for paranoid schizophrenia with psychosis and depression is allowed.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions are inadequate, and thus remands for further development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, was granted service connection. However, the increased disability ratings for lumbar strain and radiculopathy of both lower extremities were denied. The case regarding sleep apnea secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an anxiety disorder, a right knee disability, and fibromyalgia. However, it denied these claims as there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between her current conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and need for further examination. The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and alcoholism, is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right retropatellar pain syndrome, post concussive syndrome with anxiety and depression, mild neurocognitive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder, and residuals of a closed head injury with occipital fracture are being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for post concussive syndrome with anxiety and depression is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his sleep disorder claim, which was previously remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for increased rating, effective date, and service connection have become moot.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for a sleep disorder. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board has remanded his claims for service connection for a back disability, right arm disability, and right wrist disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, and granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, and Anxiety.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features is granted as incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung condition, sleep apnea, and service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from November 10, 2009. The effective date was determined based on the date of receipt of her claim rather than when she first became disabled.