Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed. The issues of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiomyopathy with acute renal failure are remanded due to unresolved medical evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection for tinnitus. The issue of reopening his previously denied claim for depression and anxiety not otherwise specified is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is also granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for depression, an initial rating of 70 percent effective September 26, 2013. The increased evaluation of posttraumatic headaches and TDIU were also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric/substance abuse disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and incomplete service records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability, chronic fatigue, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a right shoulder disability, and bilateral hip disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will conduct a Gulf War examination to assess whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to environmental hazards during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. An addendum opinion is also needed regarding the acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and sleep condition claims. The service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as it was caused by dishonorable discharge events.

Service connection is granted for a depressive disorder, but service connection is denied for hearing loss, glaucoma, heart disorders (claimed as high cholesterol), hypertension, ulcer disease and acid reflux.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, personality disorder, and insomnia, is related to his active duty service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for left ear hearing loss, entitlement to right ear hearing loss, dizziness (claimed as dizzy spells), weakness, headaches, paresthesias, psychiatric disability, and sleep disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are granted as service-connected, with the PTSD being related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his Vietnam service. The depression is found to be aggravated by the PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) as the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for any of the claimed conditions and there was no evidence linking them to a period of qualifying military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected, and his foot condition including tinea pedis is denied.

The Veteran's pituitary macroadenoma and associated depression have not resulted in any compensable symptoms, so his initial noncompensable rating for the condition remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed psychiatric, back, and eye disabilities. The VA will seek corroboration of the Veteran's stressor events, obtain a VA examination for his psychiatric disability, and provide an addendum opinion on his back and eye conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, chondromalacia patella of the left and right knees with degenerative joint disease, and depression due to in-service noise exposure and service-connected arthritis of the back.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. The claim for right eye condition is reopened and granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder was granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity due to diabetes is denied, as is service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to diabetes. The Veteran's asbestosis remains at a 30% disability rating throughout the appeal period.