Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is August 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depressive disorder, is reopened. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service.

Service connection is granted for depression, but the issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and depression, as secondary to his service-connected physical disabilities.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran has a sleep disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, that are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further development, including obtaining additional personnel and treatment records from various sources. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The remand includes obtaining additional information from the Veteran about his symptoms during and after service, stressor verification, and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his finally disallowed claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The issue of service connection for bilateral flat foot is dismissed. Other claims are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for adding a dependent to the Veteran's compensation award. The claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sinusitis disability is rated at 50 percent, but has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding sleep apnea, hypertension, and a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims to reopen for chronic fatigue and depression/anxiety with alcohol use were also granted, but the Veteran is still awaiting a VA examination to determine if her current symptoms are related to her military service. Her secondary service connection claim for alcohol abuse with depression and anxiety as secondary to PTSD remains pending. Additionally, her claim for an increased rating for lumbar strain with degenerative changes was remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as well as to consider new evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his right and left knee disabilities are still pending due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and MDD, finding that his anxiety is part of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his in-service assault. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his condition is not related to any incident during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder, and the effective date prior to January 13, 2011, for service connection of major depressive disorder, have been dismissed. Appeals regarding CUE in January 2012 rating decisions granting service connection for various disabilities were also dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while his MDD received a 70% rating from March 26, 2018 onwards. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the stomach disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been granted a 40% disability rating effective January 28, 2016. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains unresolved and is remanded.