Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was reopened and granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his depressive disorder, and scheduling an appropriate VA examination in conjunction with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion. The Board finds that a VA examination and medical opinion are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression is rated at 70% for the entirety of the appeal period. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet criteria for a TDIU due to his current symptoms aligning with his existing disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's testimony and service records, requiring additional evidence and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, PTSD with depressive disorder evaluation, and TDIU due to outstanding records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), and TDIU due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The case will be referred back to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of extraschedular evaluations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for psychiatric disabilities is granted. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and back conditions, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinea pedis or an acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's respiratory disability is granted as service-connected. The initial evaluation for his depressive disorder with obsessive-compulsive disorder remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses and their relation to service. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if he has PTSD or other acquired psychiatric conditions, and whether these are related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service in Vietnam and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence to make a decision on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his service. The Veteran needs to be examined by VA to determine if he has any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and if they are related to his service.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for depression has been granted. The appeal for other psychiatric and orthopedic conditions is remanded.

The Board has determined that an effective date of September 28, 2012 is warranted for the awards of service connection for depression and hypertension. The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for depression and hypertension are remanded due to lack of VA records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and whether the Appellant has status as a veteran for VA purposes. The AOJ is instructed to request specific details from the Appellant regarding his claimed disabilities and their potential relationship to his military service, including which periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA he believes are relevant.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claim for service connection of various conditions was not filed within one year of his daughters' 18th birthdays, and thus an earlier effective date could not be granted.