Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically his major neurocognitive disorder and other conditions. The Veteran contends that these conditions are related to service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied, but his claim for venereal disease was not addressed. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression).

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, depressive disorder with alcohol abuse, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, atypical psychotic disturbance, atypical neurologic or cognitive impairment, affective disorder and PTSD is remanded due to the presence of new evidence that may support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected disability, increased rating for degenerative disc disease, and increased rating for sinusitis due to incomplete examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST). The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran's treating providers.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, cognitive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, has been granted a 100% rating as of February 10, 2009.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 50 percent for panic disorder with major depressive disorder and anxious distress was granted from February 14, 2013 to June 4, 2018. The appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 70 percent after June 5, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the etiology of the appellant's diagnosed major depressive disorder, which was not addressed in the January 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with a sleep disorder has been rated at 70 percent since August 22, 2014. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU from March 14, 2012, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, is related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is granted as the condition had its onset during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic headaches, and sleep apnea due to errors in duty to assist. The issues are being reconsidered as new evidence was submitted.

The Board denied service connection for meningioma status post resection and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as secondary service connection for cranial nerve paralysis and left leg sciatic nerve paralysis, all of which were deemed not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic orchitis and IBS with gastritis, but the issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an autoimmune disease (Sjogren's syndrome) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's major depression is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is granted service connection. The Board found that the current diagnosis of major depressive disorder was at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right ankle tendonitis. The decision is based on a lack of current diagnoses meeting DSM criteria for PTSD and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is not service-connected, and his other mental health symptoms are accounted for by his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus, right toe injury, and knee disorders are related to service. The claims are remanded for further examination and medical opinions.