Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder are granted as service-connected.,PTSD is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder are service-connected due to in-service trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability alone is sufficient to warrant a TDIU effective June 28, 2014. Additionally, his other service-connected disabilities are rated at least 60% disabling, meeting the criteria for SMC under Section 1114(s) of the VA Benefits Act.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded the claims for a lower back disability and liver disability.

The Veteran's headaches, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder due to medical conditions with major depressive episode and anxious distress features) are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's headaches, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder based on a direct relationship to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders. The case will be reviewed after obtaining verified service information and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back injury, lumbar degenerative disc disease, anxiety and depression as secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease, and hypertension has been granted.,Service connection is also being remanded for the issue of whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, are related to her military service, specifically the claimed incidents of MST. However, there is conflicting medical evidence regarding whether these conditions are directly related to the MST events or if they are secondary to other stressors such as homelessness.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a mental disorder was granted. Service connection is also granted for persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if a compensable rating can be assigned for bilateral iritis (uveitis).,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if an initial compensable rating can be assigned for right hip flexion impairment and left hip flexion impairment.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if an initial compensable rating can be assigned for right hip/thigh rotation impairment and left hip/thigh rotation impairment.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if an initial rating in excess of 10 percent can be assigned for right hip extension impairment and left hip extension impairment.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the retrieval of outstanding treatment records to determine if an increased rating (to a 50 percent) can be assigned for unspecified depressive disorder with panic disorder as of June 30, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a leg injury, breathing problems (sinusitis and rhinitis), and major depressive disorder. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle and back conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition. The issues of service connection for PFB, an acquired psychiatric condition (to include depression), hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for service connection of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus has been denied as the earliest date of claim is September 15, 2014.,The Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and depression have both been granted. The evidence received since the last denial shows a current diagnosis of sleep apnea and new medical opinions linking depression to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depression was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.,The Veteran served on active duty from March 1977 to March 1981. His service-connected disabilities include hepatitis C rated at 40% and depressive disorder rated at 30%. The combined rating is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on percentage alone.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral foot disability, to include pes planus, are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and bilateral foot pain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, swelling of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to missing examination reports and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to chronic bronchitis. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support a current diagnosis of PTSD or any link between the claimed conditions and service.