Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected MDD and anxiety disorder, as well as for TDIU based on these conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for unspecified anxiety disorder with features of social anxiety and panic attacks with unspecified depressive disorder was denied, but her TDIU claim was granted. The disability is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is denied, but he was granted service connection for depression and anxiety disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches. The grant of service connection for the latter three conditions is based on new evidence that supports a link to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, Panic Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is etiologically related to his military service. The claim for residuals of prostate cancer, secondary to gonorrhea and/or exposure to herbicide agents and other toxic substances, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issue of whether he has any acquired psychological disorders related to his military service is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, and he is now eligible for a TDIU. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, right eye condition, depression, bilateral foot condition, right knee condition, left shoulder condition, left hip condition, left elbow condition, left knee condition, erectile dysfunction, low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been resolved.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The cervical spine, bilateral foot, tinnitus, and thoracolumbar strain issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his in-service head injury, and therefore grants service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and sleep apnea due to conflicting evaluations of his mental health. A new VA examination is required to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service and whether sleep apnea is secondary to a service-connected condition.

The claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder was previously denied in an unappealed June 2007 rating decision. The Veteran's testimony provided additional information that may enable JSRRC to corroborate the stressors, thus reopening the claim. However, further development is needed due to the loss of service records.

The Board has determined that further development and adjudication is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and depression. The case will be returned for these purposes.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 and that MDD was not related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The cases for tinnitus, sleep apnea, kidney disorder, prostate cancer, and Leukemia are remanded.

The reduction in the rating for PTSD, alcohol use disorder (also claimed as sleep issues and depression) from 70 percent disabling to 50 percent disabling was not proper. The Veteran's previous 70 percent rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for kidney failure, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, and evaluations of major depression, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further evaluation on other issues.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and untranslated Spanish documents. The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, left ankle, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorders), right knee meniscal tear, and hypertension claims are being returned for additional examination and review.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his knee disabilities do not warrant ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.,The Veteran's tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all rated at their maximum levels.