Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's depression began during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depression, and substance abuse disorder, are related to his service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will need to obtain additional service personnel records, including those from the 1998 deployment. A VA examination is also required to determine if any psychiatric disability is related to military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as the evidence does not show he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the last final decision supports reopening of the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his military service or Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for aid and assistance on a regular basis to feed himself, keep himself clean and presentable, and protect him from the hazards or dangers inherent in his daily environment. As such, the claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to his in-service experiences or his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to MST, anxiety and depressive disorder, is remanded as new evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board denied reopening the previously denied claims of service connection for depression with anxiety and panic attacks, headaches, unspecified cervical spine disability, and unspecified thoracolumbar spine disability. The claim for PTSD with bipolar disorder was reopened but not granted as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further action, including providing notice and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and COPD secondary to PTSD. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee condition, migraine headaches, and pain disorder with depression or persistent somatic symptom disorder are currently rated at the maximum available levels.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the issues of sleep apnea, right lower extremity radiculopathy, neck condition (low back condition), left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional records, including personnel files, service treatment records, private treatment records, and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Board has dismissed the claim as it is no longer warranted since the Veteran's current trauma related disorder was granted service connection and deemed to have developed within two years after discharge.

The Veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD with depression effective September 2, 2009. The decision also addressed other service-connected conditions and temporary total ratings.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various ratings, including those related to his depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and right knee disabilities. The appeals were not granted as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hernia and residuals of miscarriage, including anxiety and depression. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric condition, a higher rating for left heel bone spur, and a higher rating for left eye injury with floaters are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.