Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is granted, while claims for major depression and skin disorders are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, bilateral flatfoot, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis and major depressive disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claims of increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis of the right and left knees affecting limitation of flexion are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 26, 2005, the day following his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including TDIU and evaluations for various conditions. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of TDIU and has therefore remanded all matters.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, mood disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, and cyclothymia. The Board found that there was no credible evidence of an in-service sexual assault or other stressor to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus could not establish service connection on this basis.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge was due to a period of AWOL and acceptance of an undesirable discharge in lieu of trial by general court martial, which constitutes a regulatory bar. The Board also determined there is no evidence showing the appellant was insane at the time of his offenses.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to his involvement in a 1967 plane crash during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a potential denial of due process and will re-evaluate the service connection for a psychosis for the purpose of establishing eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, as well as his claims of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional right leg disability, to include below-knee amputation (BKA), due to VA surgical and hospital care in early 2013.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a head injury, and tinnitus. The appeal for substance use disorder was denied due to self-medication with alcohol during service. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder is also denied as it did not manifest within one year post-service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since August 25, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions related to his TDIU claim. The Board will then reassess the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, headache disability, and memory loss are not related to his service. The claims for these conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential exposure to environmental hazards during service.

The Veteran's cause of death and burial benefits claims are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding substitution as the appellant is seeking to continue his pending service connection claims.

The Veteran's initial ratings for low back disability and insomnia with depression (formerly) were denied.,For the period from June 19, 2015 through July 9, 2017, the Veteran’s service-connected low back disorder was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for depression, headaches, and sleep apnea. The VA is instructed to provide a supplemental opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service or caused by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, right and left hip disabilities, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder are denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a back disability. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as related to service-connected PTSD. Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea as caused by service-connected PTSD. Other conditions remain denied.