Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability evaluation greater than 50 percent for service-connected depression with a cognitive disorder was denied. The current rating of 50 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right inguinal hernia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and lymphedema are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for service connection for prostate gland condition is denied.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD), a neck condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right arm condition, hypertension, low back condition, and bilateral foot condition are remanded.,The Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal of the increased rating for tinnitus. The claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to new evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 10 percent prior to June 19, 2019 and 50 percent thereafter. The appeal for a TDIU prior to June 19, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative spondylosis and right and left knee patellar-femoral degenerative changes, cause severe impairment such that he is unable to ambulate without an assistive device such as a wheelchair. The Board finds eligibility for specially adapted housing due to loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and for a compensable rating for service-connected left ear disability due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional VA mental health examination and consideration of outstanding records.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.,Service connection was established for both a lower back disability (lumbosacral strain) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder with anxiety).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder, including PTSD, related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, a depressive disorder, and/or polysubstance abuse disorder are remanded due to unclear diagnoses. The claim for an increased rating for unspecified trauma or stressor related disorder is also remanded. Service connection for neck, right shoulder, and right hand disabilities is also remanded. Additionally, the TDIU claim is deferred as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to Major Depressive Disorder. As a result, the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to the need to verify a reported in-service stressor and determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining private mental health treatment records from Woodland Centers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic staphylococcal infection, clostridium difficile, nocturnal hypersexuality, and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action due to unresolved issues regarding service connection and other claims. The VA has not yet determined the appropriate ratings or effective dates for her conditions.

The Board has granted a reopening of the claims for depression and intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as back condition), but has remanded both issues due to insufficient rationale in the December 2015 VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder and has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on whether the Veteran's obesity is related to his service-connected conditions or medications.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, panic disorder, and alcohol use disorder, is granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's TMD condition is granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for insomnia and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments.