Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety with depressive disorder disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. The TDIU claim has been granted, but the initial rating for anxiety with depressive disorder remains under review.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, increased ratings for hearing loss and depression, initial ratings for back disability and radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,VA examinations will be scheduled to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board has also remanded several issues, including an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae, effective date prior to September 18, 2007, for service-connected transverse myelitis of the left lower extremity and for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and/or anxiety) and a sleep disorder (to include insomnia and/or sleep apnea).

The Veteran's MDD with alcohol use disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, thus preventing a higher 100% rating. The appeal for an initial disability rating of 70% or higher for MDD with alcohol use disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, eye condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) due to potential service connection issues. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, and remands for further development are ordered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for MDD prior to July 2, 2016 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, and TDIU. The decision found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s sleep apnea or MDD to his service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and bipolar disorder, is granted. The case is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities and ED. Additionally, the left knee disability must be re-evaluated.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, NOS, is granted a 70 percent evaluation prior to October 17, 2018. The claim for an increased rating beyond this date was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and their relationship to his psychiatric conditions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymic disorder and military sexual trauma, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new VA treatment records being added without a waiver of AOJ consideration. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and related conditions, will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, both related to the Veteran's military service. Service connection was denied for a sinus cavity injury and TBI.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of PTSD and denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder. The Veteran's SMC claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU due to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current depression is not related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder and cervicogenic headaches secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The Veteran was stationed in Seoul, South Korea, and also deployed during Operation Desert Storm/Shield.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.