Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, as claimed as PTSD and depression. Additional information is needed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressors.,The claims for increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions have been reopened, and some have been granted. The effective date for the increased rating of bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it was incurred in service or aggravated by service. The Board also requested an examination to determine if the condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and dysthymia, are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions. Additional evidence is needed to properly assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and disc disease, status post-surgery. The appeal for a higher rating for the lumbosacral strain and disc disease remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection and disability ratings for various conditions. The Board has determined that further development is necessary in order to make a determination on these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's neck disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), and sleep apnea claims are all pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to new and material evidence. The issues of rating for lumbar spine disability and TDIU are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the reopening of the psychiatric disability claim.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition (panic disorder, depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and cocaine dependence) is rated at 100 percent. The other service-connected disabilities do not render the Veteran unemployable without regard to his psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The Veteran is granted service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted effective August 15, 2012. Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also granted effective August 15, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claim for a retrospective opinion regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 24, 2013. The claim is also remanded due to outstanding VA Vocational Rehabilitation records that have not been considered.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability (characterized as persistent depressive disorder or adjustment reaction disorder) is rated at 70 percent, but the appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired mental disorder, including major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia, and PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has remanded both claims of entitlement to an earlier effective date for TDIU and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to dependency with other pending claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is aggravated by his service-connected right-hand disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder.,An effective date of August 1, 2013 has been assigned for the grant of service connection for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as incurred in service. The heart disease, psoriasis, and arthritis claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran was not shown to be permanently and totally disabled from nonservice-connected disabilities prior to December 8, 2017, and therefore his claim for pension benefits is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to confusion regarding the Veteran's address and scheduling another VA examination.