Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD was granted as a new diagnosis after her initial service, and she also has established diagnoses of depression and anxiety. The Board found that the Veteran had experienced an in-service stressor related to sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, claimed as PTSD. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 30, 2013, for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder with secondary major depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding insufficient evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 14, 2008 through August 24, 2011 due to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding lung condition and low back disability. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are not granted at this time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted, and the effective date is set at July 7, 2014.,Service connection for headaches and major depressive disorder with somatic symptom disorder was also granted on July 7, 2014. However, an earlier effective date of July 7, 2014, cannot be established as there were no prior claims or intent to file such claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse has been granted a 100% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU, effective date prior to September 7, 2018 for a 50% rating for TBI with major depression, and an effective date prior to November 26, 2018 for a 70% rating for TBI with major depression. The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for migraine headaches is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and depression as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The appellant's OSA was also found to be secondary to his service-connected jaw disability.,A rating greater than 30 percent prior to May 3, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for residuals of surgery for maloccluded jaws is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board has now reopened the claim and granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder as related to an in-service incident.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The claim for anxiety as a symptom of PTSD is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for TDIU and denied an earlier effective date. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches, as well as their relationship to his service-connected conditions and any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck/cervical spine disorder, lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, persistent depressive disorder, and restless leg syndrome have all been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his service experiences and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has decided the claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident and granted service connection.