Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the correct diagnosis of his mental health conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any such condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted. His coronary artery disease, with hypertension and diabetic nephropathy, is rated at 30 percent effective August 31, 2010. A separate compensable rating for his hypertension is denied. The award of service connection for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is granted, but a separate initial rating prior to December 11, 2012, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity is denied. A compensable initial rating for diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder has been reopened and granted. The right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus and degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent.,Right hip replacement, left wrist cyst secondary to service-connected disabilities, lumbosacral strain, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy with sciatic nerve involvement of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy with external cutaneous nerve involvement of the left lower extremity are all remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, headache disorder, and arthritis of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's depression was caused or aggravated by her service-connected migraine headaches, and thus grants service connection for depression as secondary to service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the Veteran's symptoms were better accounted for by his depression rather than PTSD.

The Veteran's other recurrent major depressive disorder and PTSD are granted as secondary to his service-connected back and tinnitus disabilities. The rating for mechanical low back strain and arthritis of the spine remains at 20%. Separate 10% ratings are granted for left leg radiculopathy and right leg radiculopathy from September 19, 2018. Service connection is remanded for a left knee disorder and a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that remand is required for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of such disability, as well as efforts to obtain additional records.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and depression, including as secondary to a right knee disorder. The Veteran's medical records from his reserve duty service and private treatment records are required, along with VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for varicoceles but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD). The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are currently under consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection, and his Persistent Depressive Disorder rating remains pending as it needs to be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional investigation regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam, exposure to Agent Orange, and claimed stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of low back pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder).

The Board has determined that additional opinions are needed to fully address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential issues with the presumption of soundness and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent from October 29, 2012 to April 27, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and musculoskeletal conditions, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The other issues on appeal are denied.