Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's depression is service connected, but has remanded his right ear hearing loss claim due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding dental condition, eye condition, prostatic condition, and right inguinal hernia repair. Service connection was granted for adjustment disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining an adequate psychiatric VA examination and/or medical opinion to address whether the Veteran has PTSD under DSM-IV and if it was caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected toxic inhalational lung disease, with cicatricial bronchiolitis, vocal cord dysfunction, and sleep apnea has resulted in his loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board granted a higher rate of SMC at the R-1 level under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) based on the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or a higher level of care.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, was granted a 70 percent rating prior to March 5, 2016. From March 5, 2016 onwards, the Veteran continues to receive a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder). The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment prior to September 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's periods of active duty and reserve service, as well as her claimed injuries. The VA is instructed to verify all periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, and schedule a VA examination to determine if the lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was granted an increased rating of 70 percent prior to November 26, 2012. The claim for TDIU prior to that date is also granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 11, 2010 for the grant of nonservice-connected pension benefits due to the Veteran's permanent and total disability from nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,An effective date earlier than June 20, 2016 is denied for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and anxiety, is granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD is denied. The rating for restrictive lung disease remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is reopened. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric or mental disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder is granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent. Service connection for major depressive disorder separate from the service-connected anxiety disorder is also granted. The claim for PTSD is denied. The effective dates for both psychiatric disorders are not granted as requested.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder with substance abuse was granted a 70 percent evaluation prior to July 29, 2019. The case is remanded for further development regarding the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent after July 29, 2019, and TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, as his claim was received on May 3, 2018 and he did not file a complete intent to file form prior to that date.

The Veteran's intermittent dyspepsia with altered bowel movements is granted as an undiagnosed illness.,Service connection for nummular dermatitis is granted.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for inguinal hernia, to include as secondary to intermittent dyspepsia with altered bowel movements, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, migraine headaches, and dermatitis were originally denied. New evidence was submitted after the final denial that supports her claim of service connection for these conditions. The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, general anxiety disorder, and depression, but denied service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed disabilities, including multiple myeloma and diabetes mellitus type II, are not related to an undiagnosed illness or a Gulf War syndrome. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions have known etiologies unrelated to service.