Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there are several issues that need clarification regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development and consideration by the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for epilepsy, psychomotor type and service connection for depression remains pending as the RO increased his rating to 40 percent but did not grant him the maximum benefit of 100 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to service-connected conditions, including asthma and depressive disorder. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to VA's failure to assist in obtaining private medical records and failing to schedule a VA examination. The Veteran is entitled to an opportunity for a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for insomnia, which is related to her service-connected tinnitus, has been granted. The claim for depression (not including insomnia) remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left temporomandibular joint disorder have been granted increased ratings. Additionally, the Veteran has been awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are found to be related to her service-connected PTSD. A 30 percent disability rating is assigned for left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment since August 10, 2009. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including major depressive disorder with anxiety features, bilateral shoulder, hand, and knee conditions, neck condition, back condition, sleep condition, and gastrointestinal condition are all denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of these conditions during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether her in-service respiratory symptoms are related to her current asthma disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was not reopened as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, due to military sexual trauma (MST). Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and mood disorder (major depressive disorder) are granted service connection due to exposure in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, with no specific date assigned.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is remanded due to inconsistencies in his claims file, including VA medical records and examination reports that do not fully support his assertion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disorder is granted, and her claim for right toe injury secondary to service-connected right foot injury is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including alcohol use disorder, depression, and personality disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of a current diagnosis for any of these conditions other than alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 1, 2015 was withdrawn. The initial rating for PTSD from June 8, 2004 was granted at 70%, and the grant of TDIU also took effect on that date.

The Veteran's CAD is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure. The psychiatric diagnoses of PTSD, depression, and anxiety are remanded for a supplemental medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial evaluations have been dismissed.,His claims for service connection for bilateral high frequency hearing loss and lumbar spine condition with radiculopathy are reopened, but the latter is remanded due to additional development needed.