Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased MDD rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left eye disability is dismissed. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine strain and acquired psychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) but has remanded the issues of timely notice of disagreement regarding hysterectomy and dental disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, has been granted a 70 percent rating for substitution purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and depression/anxiety disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) and kidney disorder (residuals of left nephrectomy and chronic renal disease), finding that these conditions are proximately due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50% since February 2017. The Board has granted a 70% rating for the entire period covered by this claim, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, PTSD, and unstable personality disorder. The evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and service.

Service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder and an unspecified depressive disorder has been granted. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD and the need for a new medical opinion on the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including sexual paraphilia disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there was no clear evidence of a pre-existing condition. The Board also found conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran had depression prior to service.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetic nephropathy was denied as the condition has not met the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction was denied because management of the diabetes did not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for low back disorder, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in the left lower extremity has been granted with an effective date of May 12, 2015.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The remaining issues of service connection for various other conditions are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder, are being reviewed again with a focus on verifying stressors and considering secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to issues with his bilateral hip disabilities, major depressive disorder, and unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent or higher for PTSD has been granted. The other claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is granted. The Board found that the evidence now shows the Veteran has a psychiatric disability due to his service experiences.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for shortness of breath is denied as there is no evidence of any impairment due to this symptom.