Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, residuals of a stroke, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) are denied.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is remanded due to the passage of time since the last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to his failure to report to a VA examination. The case is being returned for further development and evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to diabetes, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, arthritis/gout, skin disorder (basal cell carcinoma), supraventricular arrhythmia (atriial fibrillation), and psychiatric condition (depression and anxiety) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tension headaches and acquired psychiatric disability are granted with increased ratings. The left knee condition remains unresolved, as the Board has ordered a remand for further examination.

The Veteran's disability of residuals of ulcer with partial gastrectomy is rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,Service connection for fecal incontinence as secondary to service-connected residuals of ulcer with partial gastrectomy was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depression and entitlement to TDIU due to a lack of recent VA examination, which may not accurately reflect his current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has a non-PTSD psychiatric disorder and remanded to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was not diagnosed with PTSD during his VA examinations and the examiner is asked to consider all available evidence, including in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, MDD and unspecified depressive disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to service-connected psoriasis causing irreparable damage to his outer garments is granted. The Board found the evidence in equipoise, with the Veteran's testimony and medical records supporting his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear for a VA examination. The case will be rescheduled for another examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case has been remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for hypertensive heart disease with ischemic heart disease.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 10, 2016 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for balance impairment and shuffling gait as a residual of Parkinson's disease.,Service connection for dysphagia, as a residual of Parkinson's disease, was granted with an effective date of December 18, 2012.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for service connection for chronic constipation, as a residual of Parkinson's disease.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and alcohol dependence. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to deficiencies in previous medical opinions and the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, GAD, and depressive disorder NOS due to incomplete information regarding his service dates and potential treatment records. The Veteran is also requested to provide any SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a kidney disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, left hip and ankle disabilities, cervical spine disability, and left upper extremity disability (left arm) due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to her military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.