Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for other specified depressive disorder is dismissed.,The claim of service connection for residuals of a chemical injury to the eyes, to include corneal ulcers, has been reopened. The effective date prior to September 9, 2015, for the grant of service connection for other specified depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as major depression and bipolar disorder. The Veteran was diagnosed with these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia and major depressive disorder with psychotic features should be remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

Service connection for colon cancer has been granted.,Service connection for psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) has been reopened, but not yet decided on the merits. The Veteran's current diagnoses of depression are related to his service-connected colon cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU grant.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back condition, migraines, and major depressive disorder (anxiety disorder). The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, and for a higher evaluation for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the right leg due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and will provide a VA examination to determine if there is a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a hip disability or depressive disorder during service, and the current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection. For the lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent was denied.

The Board has broadened the issue to include service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and diagnoses.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS as of July 31, 2018. Prior to this date, the Veteran was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and depressive disorder have been granted initial ratings, with the left knee receiving a 40% rating. The service connection for hip disorders is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disability, migraine headaches, essential hypertension, and depression was denied. The Veteran's PTSD received an initial 100% rating prior to September 28, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for various conditions, including anxiety disorder, sleep disorder, depressive disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and TDIU.,Initial disability ratings are being remanded for HTN, ED, DM2, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted from February 13, 2009 due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a service-connectable psychiatric disability related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to missing documents in his electronic claims file. The AOJ is required to locate and upload any missing documentation, including a March 2003 rating decision, VA Form 21-4138 received January 28, 2008, claim to reopen filed on February 26, 2010; a March 7, 1978 treatment record from Herbert Thomas Hospital; a VA Medical Center Shreveport treatment record from September 15, 2006; a letter of inquiry from Senator Landrieu, and a newspaper article entitled 'VA Vows to End Backlog.'

The Veteran's claims for skin cancer, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, vertigo, dementia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for right ear hearing loss has been granted with a 0% rating effective November 5, 2014.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted, and the claim is also granted. The initial compensable rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and an increased rating for major depressive disorder are remanded. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the other issues and will be addressed after they have been resolved.