Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for osteomyelitis, vasculopathy, tinnitus, and PTSD. The rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and the effective dates for service connection for hypertension and depressive disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service records and a need for clarification on the Veteran's National Guard status. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression (claimed as bipolar disorder), which he asserts occurred during his reserve service.

The Veteran's MDD, a residual of TBI, is rated at 50 percent and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied service connection for acne with scarring and unspecified anxiety/depressive disorders, finding that the Veteran's conditions existed prior to his military service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim prior to June 13, 2017, is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood prior to June 29, 2017. A rating of 70 percent was granted for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, is related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of an earlier claim or entitlement, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support any earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a back disability, deviated septum, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression), left arm tumor, right arm tumor, left knee strain, and right knee strain are all remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $5,393.09 for tuition/fees and a housing allowance is valid based on the appellant's reduction in credit hours and withdrawal from classes during her education term. The appeal is REMANDED to determine if a waiver of recovery is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with persistent depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no medical link to service, while his colon cancer was denied due to lack of a nexus to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were all denied as there was no medical link between the conditions and service. Depression was also denied.

Service connection is granted for a neurological disability, specifically radiculopathy, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected DDD of the lower back.,Service connection is granted for depression. The evidence is at least in equipoise that it began during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a motion alleging clear and unmistakable error in the July 1999 rating decision. The effective date for PTSD with depression remains unchanged at June 8, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and will now consider the claim for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for PTSD, MDD, and Anxiety related to military sexual trauma during service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not having hearing loss for VA purposes. The claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded as there is insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, including MDD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder are denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of corroborated in-service stressors. The Veteran has been diagnosed with MDD and OCD, which the Board considered as encompassing the other diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression and explosive disorder has been granted. The Board found that the evidence was sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims, and that his psychiatric disorders are related to service. However, the issue of individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the failure of VA to contact him at his new address in Georgia. The examinations scheduled for June 2018 have not been conducted, and a copy of the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) was sent to two prior addresses in South Carolina.