Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's schizophrenia, residual type is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with features of PTSD was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent prior to July 17, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder NOS, is related to his service or if his alcoholism is due to an acquired mental disorder. The examiner will also assess whether the current level of severity of the Veteran's existing 10% rating for major depressive disorder should be considered.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, as well as a request for VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and he is now entitled to benefits for his claimed conditions. The right shoulder arthritis claim has been remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was withdrawn, and his new and material evidence claim for sleep apnea was denied. His service connection claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder were also denied.,His claim for sleep apnea was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found no link between his current psychiatric disorders and his service.,The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder, including nightmares with an alcohol use disorder, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted service connection. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and panic disorder, is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or service-connected disabilities. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing a possible secondary relationship with his service-connected right knee, hip, and thigh conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and left knee degenerative joint disease are granted, while the claim for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating, and the issues of service connection for osteoarthritis and depression have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability is moot as the Veteran now receives a 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder have been rated at a 70 percent since January 2, 2018. This decision grants the requested increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, including her reported assault in 1967 and her duties as a clinical specialist during service.

The Veteran's vertigo and Meniere’s disease are granted as secondary to service-connected hearing loss.,PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted at a 70% rating from May 19, 2016 to October 3, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating beyond this period is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and depressive disorder are granted.,An initial rating of 50 percent for tension headaches is granted, effective December 2017.

The Board has directed that the Veteran be afforded a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), including major depressive disorder, is related to service. The Veteran's request for rescheduling due to inclement weather was granted, and he should be scheduled for another examination.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to respiratory failure, bilateral pleural effusion, severe congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. The appellant contends that the Veteran’s service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder NOS caused or contributed to his fatal heart disease. The Board finds a remand necessary for an opinion on whether the service-connected conditions were principal or contributory causes of death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU. The missing records, including VA treatment records prior to January 2012 and from August 2018 to present, as well as any further education, training, and employment information since November 2011, need to be obtained. Additionally, the Veteran needs to undergo new VA examinations for his service-connected psychiatric disorder, TMJ dysfunction, gastroesophageal disability, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA examinations are needed for a comprehensive evaluation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence of a link between the Veteran's current symptoms and an in-service stressor. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is remanded for further evaluation.