Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndromes as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability. The cervical disorder and major depression with anxious mood are also granted on a secondary basis.

The appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination, compliance with 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(5) notice, and obtaining of outstanding records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding private treatment records and additional development of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The appeals for increased ratings on right thumb injury residuals, right carpal tunnel syndrome (excluding post-surgical convalescence), tinea versicolor, and individual unemployability have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits based on countable income from June 2009 is also remanded.

The Veteran's back condition and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted service connection. The remaining issues of service connection for a bilateral foot condition, scar, sleep condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to issues related to his character of discharge from active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a neck disorder and depression due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, cervical spine injury, lumbar spine condition, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, heart condition, prostate condition, left foot condition, right foot condition, and seizure disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and other specific trauma and stressor-related disorder are granted. Service connection is also established for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right leg disability, cellulitis, telangiectasia, photoaging, sebaceous hyperplasia, actinic keratosis, and herpes. An effective date earlier than July 22, 2015 for left lower leg laceration with infection and drainage is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected depressive disorder and PTSD symptoms.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for fibromyalgia due to Gulf War hazards as due to an undiagnosed illness is denied.,Service connection for abnormal menses (menstrual disorder) due to Gulf War hazards as due to an undiagnosed illness is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for atrial fibrillation and GERD have been dismissed. The issue of an effective date for PTSD has been granted to February 3, 2010. The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressors and a need for further examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or major depressive disorder, that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective January 25, 2010. The effective date is based on the date of her reopened claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lung cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, headaches, and skin disability are all granted. The grants are based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for various psychiatric disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and sleep disorders. The examiner must address whether these conditions are related to service or any organic brain syndrome.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.