Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from December 22, 2015 to October 24, 2018. A TDIU is granted from December 22, 2015. The July 2016 denial of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his lumbar spine disability and TDIU claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and as secondary to military sexual trauma. The VA will obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if she has any current psychiatric disorders related to service, and another audiological examination to assess her hearing loss.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective November 5, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided that additional evidence and a new VA examination are needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his service. The AOJ must verify any in-service stressors reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Major Depressive Disorder is granted.,Other issues, including those related to the right shoulder, knee, ankle, and dental conditions, are remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability to include depressive disorder.,Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder).,However, service connection is denied for a back disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression. The most probative evidence does not establish that the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or that his current psychiatric disabilities are causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD/depression and hypertension have been reopened, and he is granted service connection for major depression with psychotic features and panic disorder with agoraphobia. Service connection has also been granted for substance abuse disorder as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The claim for hypertension remains pending due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression due to potential unverified in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for additional records and an updated examination.

The Veteran's acquired mental condition to include depressive disorder and PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective April 21, 2010. The claim for a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and headaches has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection for MDD was granted in a previous decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, including right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (PTSD, panic disorder, depressive disorder), lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, headache disorder, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye pterygium have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to a low back disability and has reopened the claim for major depressive disorder, finding new and material evidence. The issue of whether the depression was caused or aggravated by the low back disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The appeal for service connection of depressive disorder is dismissed. The claim for seizure disorder is denied. The Veteran's rating for depressive disorder with TBI remains at 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding that the appellant does not have a confirmed diagnosis of these conditions at any time during or approximate to the filing of her claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for an examination and medical opinion addressing his employability given his service-connected disabilities, as well as discrepancies in his educational and work history.