Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder and depressive disorder) is granted, while service connection for arthritis of bilateral hands, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for hypertension is also denied.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the lack of complete service treatment records, including a separation examination. Additionally, SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but his depressive disorder and TDIU claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, was not incurred in active service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the claims of service connection for anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, as well as the increased rating claims for lumbar strain, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral dry eye syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, pheochromocytoma, right ankle strain status post surgery with calcaneal spurring, tinnitus, and hypertension have been granted. The rating for right ankle strain status post surgery with calcaneal spurring is set at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder substantially contributed to his death from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and the Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, bilateral dry eyes, and headaches is granted. The claims for other acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), left ear hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea are denied.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness, sleepwalking, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizoaffective disorder, depression, and a psychotic disorder) is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied. A rating of 70 percent, but no more, for PTSD is granted on and after November 19, 2015. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and migraine headaches are related to his service-connected disabilities. The right upper extremity radiculopathy, hypogonadism status post testicle removal, osteoarthritis of the right ankle (previously rated as right foot talar cyst), left shoulder disorder, left and right elbow disorder, left and right hand disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder (secondary to service-connected right ankle disability), left ankle disorder, left foot disorder, right foot disorder (other than a talar cyst) (secondary to service-connected right ankle disability), left upper extremity radiculopathy (secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability), and sleep apnea are all granted. The effective dates for these grants have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to July 5, 2017 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder due to a lack of VA examination. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and DEA benefits effective July 8, 2015 due to his service-connected anxiety disorder. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from this date.

The Veteran's hypertension, migraine headaches, PTSD and depressive disorder with pure dysthymic syndrome are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a 10 percent rating for his hypertension from June 9, 2017 to October 16, 2018. A 50 percent rating is granted for his migraine headaches during the same period. His PTSD and depressive disorder with pure dysthymic syndrome are rated at 50 percent throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's back disability, left knee condition, and TDIU claims are all remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted. A 10% rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted from August 27, 2013 to November 9, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as depression) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and potential stressors. A new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disorder at any point in the appeal period, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's service in Panama during his National Guard duty is considered as part of the stressor claim.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, NOS as it is related to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder and migraine headaches are both granted as service connected.