Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, hypertension, and recurrent headaches. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder for the purpose of establishing eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, hypertension, and recurrent headaches. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder for the purpose of establishing eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability during or after service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's hypertension, GERD, ED, insomnia, and depression are related to his military service.,The Veteran did not have any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis for these conditions in service. There is also no evidence linking them to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA examination to assess his major depressive disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to the need for an appropriate medical examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his persistent depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, but no more, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to sleep apnea and depression are inadequate, and thus remands for further examination and medical opinions are necessary.

The Board has determined that further assistance is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are found to be related to service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and requests further development including a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, led to total occupational and social impairment from May 26, 2006 to August 13, 2013. The Board granted a 100% rating for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, liver disease (including cirrhosis of the liver and hepatoma), and depression, all found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder from March 3, 2016 to present has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 3, 2016 for the grant of service connection for depression is remanded due to unclear evidence regarding when entitlement arose.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was improper due to conflicting evidence regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD with depressive disorder NOS and substance abuse in full remission prior to June 21, 2017 is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS and substance abuse in full remission after June 21, 2017 is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the January 2017 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether the pre-existing condition worsened during service or if it had its onset during service.