Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dermatitis remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD with alcohol abuse, has been reopened. The Board has also remanded the cases of OSA and TDIU due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran is granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression) is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral eye disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities and depressive disorder are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent from June 18, 2014 to January 26, 2016 and at 70 percent from January 27, 2016 to September 11, 2018. The RO must consider the new evidence of record and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has dismissed the claim for nonservice connected pension benefits and has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep walking and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression and anxiety).

The Board denied the reopening of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that the submitted evidence did not show aggravation beyond normal progression during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 29, 2014 for his increased evaluation of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD with MDD and alcohol abuse disorder. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity prior to this date.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, but the issues of service connection for other conditions are still pending. The TDIU claim must be remanded until these service connection claims are resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as an adjustment disorder with depression, is dismissed without prejudice.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability is denied. The evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 60 degrees or a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine of 120 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for narcolepsy, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral wrist disability, depression, hypertension and abnormal heartbeat, left ear hearing loss, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors. However, the Board also found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors are not credible and cannot be corroborated, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are remanded due to outstanding records and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand arthritis and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with depression were denied. The Veteran was also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to November 25, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various acquired psychiatric disorders, including OCD, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and a gambling disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for a skin rash is granted. The Board has remanded the matter due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and ectropion are denied.