Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features is found to have started during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during active duty.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was denied. The examiner found no evidence linking the current diagnosis to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate prior examinations. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied due to the absence of any diagnosed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The Veteran is also awarded a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and trichotillomania. These conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, previously characterized as PTSD. The new evidence shows that he currently suffers from anxiety disorder NOS and depression NOS, which are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder prior to August 30, 2019 were denied.,The Veteran's initial evaluation of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder not otherwise on or after August 30, 2019 was also denied.,The Veteran is currently granted TDIU effective from August 30, 2019. The issue remains in appellate status as the full grant of benefits has not been made for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been granted, and he is also entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The MDD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's prior diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The examiner must address these previous diagnoses in their opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The Veteran had a history of depression and anxiety during her service but current diagnoses are not clear.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are rated at a 70 percent rating, effective June 29, 2009. The symptoms include suicidal ideation, anger issues, difficulty in establishing and maintaining work and social relationships, and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal, finding that his request to withdraw service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was valid. The claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disability were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left breast biopsy residual scar are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for major depressive disorder and alcohol and drug abuse due to incomplete records from a private treatment facility. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so the decision on alcohol and drug abuse cannot be rendered until the major depressive disorder issue is resolved.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed features of depression and anxiety, effective from September 11, 2015. The decision finds that his symptoms most closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back arthritis and major depressive disorder. The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.