Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's major depressive disorder causes occupational and social impairment in most areas, as contemplated by the current 70 percent rating. The Board denied an increased rating to 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination. The Veteran's hypertension, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are all being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current conditions are not related to his military service or pre-existing personality disorders aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is granted. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus and depression claims are also remanded due to lack of a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, residuals of a stroke, and depression secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The decision also remanded the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for glioblastoma multiforme stage 4 brain cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether lung cancer caused or aggravated the brain cancer.

The Veteran's rating for PTSD and depressive disorder was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective April 1, 2015. The reduction was improper due to failure to comply with applicable law and regulations. The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression to include residuals of TBI was granted, effective March 10, 2013.

The claim of service connection for a low back disability and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's mental health condition may be related to his in-service history, but further examination is needed to determine its exact cause.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness, including Meniere's syndrome. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and depressive disorder are remanded due to new evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left wrist disorder, bilateral pes planus (flatfoot), and hypertension have been denied. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Schizophrenia, and Depression due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a trauma-and-stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence related to the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder should be remanded due to conflicting opinions from the July 2017 VA examiner. The claims will need to be reviewed with additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, depression, a pulmonary condition and vision loss are inextricably intertwined with each other. Therefore, these matters must be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, to service. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.