Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder, Retrobulbar Neuritis of the Left Eye, and Migraine Headaches have been rated at 50%, 30%, and 30% respectively. The Board has granted a 70% rating for Major Depressive Disorder for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted effective November 10, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure has been remanded due to incomplete STRs and the need for private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including cellulitis, boils and blisters, has been remanded due to inaccurate factual premises in the July 2015 VA examination and the need for an opinion on whether his skin condition is secondary to diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, has been remanded due to the July 2015 examiner's failure to consider the Veteran's contentions regarding combat-related nightmares and delayed treatment.

The Veteran's depression is being remanded for a new examination to determine if it is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his total knee replacements and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and for additional development of his claims, including for service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as claustrophobia), and residuals of a right hand laceration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and remands for further development on other issues including sleep apnea, tension headaches, and PTSD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective November 3, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at the highest schedular rating of 50 percent, effective June 27, 2018.,Prior to this date, the Veteran had a 30 percent rating from August 11, 2017 through June 26, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including depressive disorder NOS, right-hand disability, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left-hand disability, bilateral hip disability, and left-knee disability. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran withdrew all pending issues, including service connection for asthma, hypertension, and the effective date of depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy and whether he suffers from loss of use in either hand or foot. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for these issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,PTSD and anxiety are denied as not service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disorder, headaches, sleep disorder, right foot numbness, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The VA is directed to obtain updated treatment records, verify periods of active duty, schedule examinations, and consider all relevant evidence in determining the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and MDD.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as the current VA examiner's opinion is inadequate. The Veteran contends that his sleep apnea is due or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, but the examiner did not consider these factors in their assessment.