Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are denied. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and mood disorder related to PTSD. An increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective from March 26, 2014. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any diagnosed condition began in service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing the presence of a current disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-related depressive disorder and his alcohol abuse and dependence disorder, which may have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches prior to February 1, 2010 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches from February 1, 2010 onwards was also denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities. The Board has remanded this matter due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether chronic pain from the service-connected right leg disabilities worsened the severity of the depression.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic bronchitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's body rash, presumed due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam, is remanded for further examination and medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD with depressive disorder were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the 70% evaluation of PTSD was also denied. The Board found that new and material evidence is not required to reopen these claims, as they have never become final.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a depressive disorder was denied in November 2007, but the decision is final. The Veteran did not file another claim until September 22, 2014, when he requested to reopen his previously denied claim.,The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder and thus denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent. The effective date for service connection was set at September 22, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and insomnia disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The Board denied an increased evaluation as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The issues of service connection for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and major depressive disorder, to include as secondary to a low back disorder, need further investigation. Specifically, they require obtaining missing STRs from his second period of active duty (2001-2008) and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar disorder, right hip disorder, skin disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders, and hypertension. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant medical records and conduct further examinations and opinions as needed.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his reported in-service military sexual trauma. The examiner is also requested to address whether any other acquired psychiatric disabilities, including those not previously service-connected, are causally or etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right elbow condition and remanded the issue of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of rating higher than 70 percent for a psychiatric disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has vacated the previous decisions and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion on service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.