Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatrist's opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, but the examiner must also consider whether they are related to an in-service personal assault or verified stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychosis or mental illness for the purposes of treatment only was denied. The Board also remanded her secondary service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss disability has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cancer of the trachea and thyroid cancer due to radiation exposure, as well as service connection for sleep apnea and depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to new and additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and examination reports. The Veteran will be asked to provide details about his employment positions and undergo another VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder. The issues are being remanded due to a lack of cooperation from the Veteran in scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, major depressive disorder, and sleep apnea (REMSleep Behavior Disorder) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,An increased rating is denied for spinal stenosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a review of the April 2019 VA PTSD examination and consideration of his TDIU claim prior to February 10, 2015.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for persistent depressive disorder was denied. The effective date of the 70 percent rating for persistent depressive disorder was set at September 12, 2016. The previously denied claims for service connection were reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities and the hazards associated with his environment.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to major depressive disorder and awarded a 50% rating for major depressive disorder prior to January 31, 2017. The Veteran's depression did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for Parkinson’s disease, dementia, a psychiatric disorder other than dementia (including PTSD and depression), and a back disorder due to potential exposure to herbicides sprayed under living quarters in Thailand. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered with an additional medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for a left ankle disability, drug and alcohol dependence, and hepatitis B.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for other specified depressive disorder is granted, effective from the date of receipt of her claim on June 12, 2013. The decision also grants a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to his nonservice-connected COPD.,The Veteran was found eligible for TDIU as he met the percentage requirements with a combined rating of 70 percent from service-connected conditions, and his unemployability was determined to be due to his service-connected disabilities.,The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because there was no evidence that VA's care or treatment caused the Veteran’s death.

The Board has vacated the dismissal of the appeal for service connection for an acquired mental health disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The case will be scheduled for a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, insomnia, headaches, an unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence related to his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders. The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but a new medical opinion is required that complies with the Board’s prior directive.

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