Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression and anxiety due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of review of post-service records prior to 2002. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are being examined by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol induced mood disorder, are found to be related to service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that any hypertension diagnosed post-service is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a penis disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that any penis disability diagnosed post-service is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder due to another medical condition with depressed features) is granted as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C is granted based on new evidence that reopened the previously denied claim.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 22, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and frontotemporal dementia. The original denial in September 2013 did not become final due to VA's constructive receipt of relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic attacks and TDIU claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The issue of TDIU has also been added to the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent for the period from August 28, 2015 until his death in February 2018. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they did not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD, in association with alcohol abuse and depressive disorder, is manifested by suicidal ideation; depression; irritable behavior and angry outburst; reckless or self-destructive behavior; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and TBI, along with her left breast cancer, right breast cancer, and right hip cancer, have been granted a 100% disability rating effective May 29, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressors and the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for bladder cancer and depression, reopening of previously denied hearing loss and sleep apnea claims, an increased rating for PTSD, and a TDIU. The remand requires further medical opinions regarding these matters.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and that any other diagnosed psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD. The appeals are now remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the claimed stressor and a VA examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for cervical spine disability, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) was granted. The claim for stomach cramps is denied. The effective date of service connection for psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bronchitis, hypertension, and headaches have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were consistent with the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment. Bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as there are questions about its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates ranging from August 11, 1995 to September 17, 2014. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for psychiatric disability has also been granted.