Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and remanded the claims for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder due to new evidence received since the final denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons for determining that the Veteran's suicidal ideation and poor hygiene were due to his service-connected other specified depressive with other specified stressor-related disorder. The Veteran is requested to provide medical records from Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, as well as major depressive disorder (depression), all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The decision is based on evidence showing current diagnoses and a causal relationship between the service-connected condition and the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and eligibility for treatment pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1702 can be decided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, depressive disorder, back disability, bilateral hip and foot disabilities, and hernia (right inguinal) has been granted. However, the claims for sleep disorder secondary to a service-connected disability and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee disability prior to July 2015, 2013 and after September 1, 2014 are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes, but the issues of peripheral neuropathy and psychiatric disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a psychiatric disorder and restored the 20% disability rating for lumbar spine disability. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, gout, bilateral knee disability, stroke, TIA, low back injury with degenerative disc disease, and depression due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left testicle disorders, PTSD, depression, and bilateral knee disabilities are all granted. The decision also remands the Veteran's claim for a back disorder and skin disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by memory loss, dry skin, dry scalp, left wrist disability, or CFS separate and distinct from his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable rating for residuals of a left foot fracture of the second and third metatarsals. Additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including evidence related to personal assault during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, and MDD. The most probative evidence of record shows that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or bipolar disorder, and his diagnoses of mood disorder and major depressive disorder are not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with no specific exposure basis provided and no rating assigned.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted service connection for sleep apnea, but the gastrointestinal disorder (irritable bowel syndrome) remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD with MDD was granted, and he is now receiving a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but the rating assigned was noncompensable for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD), is granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is set at April 10, 2018. An initial rating of 30 percent for IBS is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as the February 1994 rating decision denying service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder is final, and there is no evidence of an expressed or implied intent to file a claim prior to May 23, 2011.