Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, adjustment disorder with depression), right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities or establish a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.,The Board found that there was no in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's lumbar spine or psychiatric disorders, and the diagnoses were not linked to service. For his right and left knee disabilities, the Board noted the absence of evidence showing onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disability, and sleep apnea. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that his symptoms are linked to in-service stressors and he was diagnosed with PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected back condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's arthritis of the left ankle, left shoulder, and right knee is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected back condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service incident that allegedly caused the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran must provide additional records from his service ship, USS KENNEBEC, to support his claim.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for depression, GERD, a skin rash, and bronchitis. The claim for hypertension was reopened but not granted due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depression was denied, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied, as she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), and a left foot disability due to the need for additional information from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected major depression with PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted a 60 percent rating effective September 1, 2017, after deducting the pre-aggravation percentage of 10 percent from his total disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression and anxiety disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, chronic lumbar strain, and left elbow medial epicondylitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, headaches, depression, tinnitus, hernia repair, bilateral hearing loss, and scars, significantly impair his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression) has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in their current state. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations and etiology opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with effective dates of October 1, 2010 (psychiatric disability) and December 10, 2018 (low back disability).,The Board found that the Veteran met the requirements for a 40% rating for his low back disability since August 25, 2010 due to daily flare-ups.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder and insomnia disorder, is found to be proximately due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.