Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and MDD is granted, with the diagnosis of PTSD established due to a current clinical diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor involving military sexual trauma (MST). Service connection for MDD is not addressed as it was not part of the original appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and updated records.

The Veteran's claims for ED, BHL, tinnitus, OSA, and depression are reopened. The Board has remanded several issues including increased ratings and effective dates. Service connection is granted for OSA but denied for BHL and tinnitus. Depression is service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability. The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened and granted. An initial rating of at least 10 percent for migraine headaches is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an esophageal perforation and acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to the esophageal perforation, and any other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were granted with specific disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased evaluations on multiple conditions has been dismissed.,Service connection is denied for pitting edema in the bilateral lower extremities and inflammation of the left foot.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are rated at 70 percent, but no higher, effective May 2, 2017. The appeal for a TDIU is granted, and the case is remanded for an earlier effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder have been denied as there is no current disability found in the record. The Board acknowledges the Veteran’s reports of pain but finds that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder has prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment since July 13, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU effective as of that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders to his active-duty service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to in-service events or injuries.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, finding that it did not begin in service and is not causally or etiologically related to service. The Board also found that UDD was not caused by or worsened in severity by the service-connected residuals of a groin injury.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his skin rash and PTSD diagnoses. The AOJ should also consider whether he is entitled to TDIU based on impairment attributable to his service-connected disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective January 20, 2012.