Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development and examination, including consideration of an extraschedular rating for his right shoulder arthroplasty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and secondary service connection for a depressive disorder due to his service-connected non-ischemic cardiomyopathy has been granted.

This decision denies earlier effective dates for service connection, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, and eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service stressors such as military sexual trauma (MST) and her brother's suicide.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability prior to April 11, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 80 percent. For TDIU prior to April 11, 2018, the Veteran met the schedular criteria and the Board granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities significantly impacting his employability.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding radiation proctitis and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with right achilles tendonitis is rated at 10 percent disabling, effective February 3, 2009. The Veteran also received a TDIU for the periods from February 3, 2009 through August 2, 2011 and from May 1, 2018 to present.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression with anxious features, finding that it began during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for depression, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance due to lack of VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's depressive disorder was incurred in or related to his service. The matter is now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, nonservice-connected pension benefits, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded because new examinations are needed, financial information is required, and records from the period of appeal need to be obtained.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The TDIU claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's daughter, H.W., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to her disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Panic Disorder. The Board granted recognition of H.W. as a helpless child for VA benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting diagnoses of PTSD and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are currently rated at 30 percent, but the VA is ordered to schedule a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim is also pending as part of this increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD with alcohol use disorder, as well as her claim for sinus tachycardia (claimed as a heart condition), are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of evidence.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is related to service and granted.,The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that hypertension began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, so it was denied.