Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and OSA have been reopened, but the claims for back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension remain denied.,Service connection has been granted for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with generalized anxiety and major depression, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board found that a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, as well as residuals of TBI, are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding in-service stressors and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it depends on the rating assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and their relationship to service. The claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder must be further evaluated with a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether these conditions are related to his military service. The appeals for back and neck disabilities remain pending as they need further examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and substance use disorder, is granted as service connected. The issue of entitlement to service connection for low back pain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically whether it is related to her service-connected hallux valgus.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disability, residuals of right ear cyst removal, and diabetes mellitus due to new evidence submitted since the final decisions. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, anxiety) remains pending as it was not reopened.,Service connection is being remanded for the low back disability, residuals of right ear cyst removal, and diabetes mellitus due to unresolved issues regarding exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and chronic depression, are granted. Service connection is denied for OCD, dissociative identity disorder, bipolar disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating since June 13, 2018. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of any back disability, thoracic neuritis, left and right knee disabilities, sinus headaches, and major depressive disorder with social anxiety. The effective date for service connection will be determined based on the evidence.

The Veteran's initial rating for his PTSD has been denied, as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was found not to be bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance as a result of his service-connected conditions. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD and for TDIU due to insufficient evidence from his last VA examination. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an independent medical expert opinion to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities, or if there were any issues with VA care that contributed to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional examinations and medical opinions are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for PTSD and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a non-VA medical evaluation report.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's appeals for further consideration of all evidence received since February 13, 2017. The issues include service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for his service-connected depressive disorder and for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection are being remanded due to additional evidence that needs to be considered.