Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for a higher disability rating for persistent depressive disorder prior to January 1, 2015 and an effective date prior to May 7, 2010 were dismissed due to the Veteran expressing his intent to withdraw these claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for skin cancer and sinus disorder as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and sleeplessness have been rated at 50 percent since December 14, 2015. The Board has determined that the severity of these symptoms does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and associated complications were granted service connection effective July 31, 2019. The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards.,The Veteran was not diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease until January 30, 2017, which is after August 31, 2010 when it became a presumptive herbicide-related disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disability, including PTSD and depression, was dismissed because the Veteran did not file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) to appeal the March 2018 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and a potential pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including intermittent explosive disorder and depressive disorder NOS, is being evaluated for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated with updated medical records and a comprehensive opinion from a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee degenerative joint disease and an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and insomnia has been reopened, but the Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is related to active service. The case is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's sinusitis disability is granted. The Veteran's depression NOS and restricted breathing condition (asthma, dyspnea, vocal cord dysfunction) are granted with a specific rating. Other conditions like vitiligo, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, cold injury of bilateral hands, and hemorrhoids have been assigned appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and has been granted as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder was granted. The appeal for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed, while other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent disabling for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and neurocognitive disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date prior to December 29, 2014 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was denied.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date prior to December 29, 2014 for an increased rating of 50 percent disabling for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and neurocognitive disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and special monthly compensation were dismissed as the Appellant requested withdrawal of all appeals before the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, kidney condition, left shoulder disability, and depressive disorder associated with service-connected conditions due to new VA treatment records being added to the file. The SSOC must be issued after considering all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, is granted due to the evidence showing a link between her in-service stressor and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further verification of her exposure to herbicide agents and/or chemicals at Fort McClellan. The AOJ will conduct additional development, including potential VA medical examinations and nexus opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The right ankle and back conditions are remanded for further examination.