Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depression have been granted a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression and anxiety, as well as service connection for low back and hip disorders secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot and knee disabilities have been remanded due to the Veteran's failure to cooperate with scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, was not shown during service or within one year of separation. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against a finding that this condition is related to service.,Hypertension was not shown in service and did not manifest within one year after discharge. The Board also finds the preponderance of evidence against a finding that hypertension is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied any additional acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right below the knee amputation and depression are remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, foot drop, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of a pulmonary embolism, asthma, right leg vascular condition, left leg vascular condition, high blood pressure, generalized degenerative joint disease, and allergies, bronchitis, and sinusitis have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure were credible and consistent with his service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was not supported by medical evidence meeting DSM-5 criteria, and his major depressive disorder is not related to service. Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol dependence. The Board also remanded his claims for increased evaluations for bilateral wrist CTS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD with anxiety and depression) and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The evidence did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD in conformance with DSM-5 criteria and the VA examiner found no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the July 2016 rating decision. The Board found that her symptoms more nearly approximated a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective October 15, 2018. His PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated as total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for his major depressive disorder with anxious distress and somatic symptom disorder as of February 21, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is granted, and the claims for increased rating for PTSD and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and dysthymia (claimed as depression) have been denied. The claim for subjective night sweats due to nightmares is being remanded.,The VA examiner will provide an addendum opinion on whether the subjective night sweats are a disability or a symptom of an undiagnosed illness, and if so, whether they are at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran’s CAD, valvular heart disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and cardiac arrest with multiple stent placements began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, so the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is denied.