Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service, including sexual assault allegations. The claim is reopened but requires further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether it was aggravated by an in-service incident of military sexual trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran is granted TDIU and DEA benefits for dependents from December 5, 2003 to January 30, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of chronic arthritis of the neck, depression and anxiety, and Hepatitis B for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent since March 7, 2018. Her PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and depression have been reopened, with service connection granted.,Service connection was denied for sinusitis. The Veteran's headaches were found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings due to outstanding SSA disability records that may provide relevant information.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if service connection should be granted for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. Both issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including SSA disability benefits information.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the in-service stressors occurred and linked them to current diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and depression, both claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The decision also notes that the Veteran's right arm tendon condition is remanded due to missing records.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, as there is no probative evidence of current disabilities.,Service connection was granted for bilateral knee disabilities with separate ratings for the right and left meniscal disabilities. The Veteran received a compensable rating for his right knee scar and a 20 percent rating for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no medical nexus between his current psychiatric disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective January 1, 2019. Service connection for residuals of right great toe injury and hypertension are both granted. The Veteran's service connection claim for right knee condition and left knee degenerative joint disease remains pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The cases are being returned for further development, including obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including deviated septum, broken nose, loss of smell, difficulty breathing, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD, anxiety, depression), diverticulitis, bilateral knees, and bilateral ankles. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to address these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, left-leg residuals of broken leg, right-knee disorder, right-ankle disorder, left-ankle disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia disorder, right-lower-extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) are not service-connected.