Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heat stroke, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), scar, status post left knee injury, recurrent tinnitus, residuals of concussion including vertigo and headaches, and major depressive disorder with anxiety have been remanded.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for scar, status post left knee injury; recurrent tinnitus; residuals of concussion including vertigo and headaches; and major depressive disorder with anxiety are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder, but his claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims, including service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is dismissed without prejudice. The application to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is granted. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether her acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to her active duty service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and cannabis dependence has been rated at 70 percent since October 2010. The Board granted a TDIU effective January 26, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, increased ratings for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status is also being remanded as there are new records that have not been considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether these conditions are related to his combat service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and depressive disorder are granted service connection, while the claims for bilateral pes planus and residuals of 3rd metatarsal stress fractures are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was partially granted, with some issues being remanded back to the Board. The decision on his depressive disorder rating is denied, while he is still seeking higher ratings for his bilateral clawfoot (pes cavus) conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and psychiatric disability (depression) remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and its relation to service stressors. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board found no periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to lack of eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability and major depression/nervous condition is denied. The issue of service connection for major depression/nervous condition is remanded.

Service connection is granted for left knee, right foot, left foot, left hip and lumbar spine disorders as well as a psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder with anxiety).,The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability led to or aggravated his other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was granted in a June 2013 rating decision, and he is now receiving benefits for diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and major depressive disorder due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The agent fees were awarded based on this grant of benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for prostatitis is granted, with the effective date set at April 21, 2011.,Other claims remain denied.

The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than August 25, 2016 for service connection of PTSD and other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress. The Board finds that the evidence does not support this claim as the earliest claim was received on August 25, 2016. For the initial rating issue, the Veteran seeks a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress.