Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider new VA treatment records related to the Veteran's major depressive disorder and TDIU claims. These records may provide evidence of increased severity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and headaches, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, bipolar disorder I with alcohol use disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The examiner will determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disabilities did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service-connected conditions, and the Board found that his congestive heart failure was not caused by or aggravated by service. The VA examiner's post-mortem analysis concluded that the cause of death was less likely than not incurred in or by an in-service injury, event or illness.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 6, 2014, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The claims for service connection for colon disorder and chronic psychiatric disorder are remanded due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder is granted. Service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder (previously evaluated as adjustment disorder with depressed mood) is granted an increased evaluation of 70 percent, but not higher, for the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for depression was denied as his depression is not related to his in-service frostbite injury and he did not have a current disability at the time of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and depression, based on the Veteran's in-service experiences.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their severity and combination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and a depressive disorder, has been reopened. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current mental health symptoms are not related to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mood disorder (claimed as depression) was granted with a 70% disability rating effective May 18, 2012. The RO denied the Appellant's request to withhold attorney fees from these benefits due to an untimely filed agreement. The case is now remanded for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and major depressive affective disorder. The case is remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board previously denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case was remanded due to a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) that directed the Board to address whether anxiety disorder is related to service, including a conceded aircraft accident witnessed by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss and service connection for major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is granted service connection. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variably diagnosed as Alcohol Dependence disorder, Obsessive Compulsive disorder, Depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating from July 28, 2015 to December 3, 2015. From February 1, 2016 onwards, his PTSD symptoms were rated at 70%. The Board found that these ratings adequately reflected his disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including an adjustment disorder with anxious mood, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, sleep problems, and depressive episodes, is rated at 70 percent from October 25, 2004.