Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS with depression and PTSD features has resulted in occupational and social impairment warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for right knee condition and left knee condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and TBI residuals. The neck disorder claim is denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for a new examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted. Additionally, the issue of TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and review. The appeals are not related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disorder, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder are found to be related to his current headaches. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is assigned the minimum noncompensable rating due to the nature of the disability. A higher rating for tinnitus is not granted, and a higher rating for major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted as a result of herbicide exposure during service in Thailand. Service connection for diabetic neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that there was no increase in severity during service and concluding that the pre-existing condition did not permanently worsen due to military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that the Veteran did not have a mental disorder related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and reopening of a claim for back injury, as well as the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Veteran's private psychologist provided an opinion that his personality disorder may be superimposed upon another diagnosed condition. Additionally, outstanding SSA records and private treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claim is now reopened and will be reviewed on its merits.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis (MS) is denied. No new and material evidence has been received within a year of the November 2014 decision.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus prior to September 7, 2016 is denied. The maximum schedular rating available (10%) has been assigned.,No effective date prior to September 7, 2016 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted as the evidence does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date and increased ratings were granted. The Veteran received a 20% rating for his radiculopathy of the right upper extremity from February 1, 2016 to May 29, 2018, and for his left upper extremity from February 1, 2016 to May 29, 2018. The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20% were denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, is related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depression prior to November 14, 2017 is remanded due to the need to obtain treatment records from Dr. E.M.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified neurocognitive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and depression, is granted. The claims for service connection for PTSD and TBI are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, to include acquired psychiatric disorder with depression due to personal trauma, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas during the entire appellate period. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial disability rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.