Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for lower back disorder and depression, but has remanded both issues due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his service connection claim for tinnitus was denied. His claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches is also denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for psychiatric disabilities and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for deep acne vulgaris with disfigurement was granted. The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, perennial allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's mental health disorders, including PTSD. The examiner must consider whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to active service, specifically any MST stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues are related to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is related to his service in Vietnam. The Board finds that the probative evidence of record is at least in equipoise on the factors of service incurrence and nexus, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder were denied. The rating for major depressive disorder prior to March 3, 2009, was also denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder after March 3, 2009, is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorders, were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service or exposure to environmental toxins at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for new VA examinations and consideration of updated treatment records. The issues include a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, a higher disability rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The Board finds the Veteran’s current heart condition and cervical spine disability issues are inextricably intertwined with his remanded claim for increased ratings.

The Veteran's neuroma, left foot, was granted service connection. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss appeal was dismissed. The Veteran's trigger thumb, left hand, right leg fracture, and acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and PTSD) claims are pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, major depression, dysthymic disorder and adjustment disorder can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied. Effective May 13, 2015, service connection was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for DJD of the left hip was also granted on May 13, 2015. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for persistent depressive disorder with mixed features (claimed as PTSD) was granted but with a different effective date.

The Veteran's depression and social anxiety disorders are rated at 70 percent effective November 20, 2012. The Board found that the earliest date on which it is factually ascertainable that her disability had worsened was November 20, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including depressive disorder NOS) or PTSD began during active service or is related to an incident of service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted a 70% rating on and after March 27, 2017. The Board finds the evidence most consistent with a 70% disability rating for depression throughout the period on appeal. Service connection for back, left knee, and sleep apnea disabilities are remanded due to incomplete records and insufficient nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further medical examinations. The issues include PTSD, migraine headaches, eye conditions, and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder was granted a 70% disability evaluation from June 26, 2016 to August 18, 2017. Effective as of June 26, 2016, the Veteran is also receiving a TDIU.