Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches, shortness of breath post aggravated deviated septum, and hypertension are REMANDED. The Veteran also seeks service connection for a deviated septum and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia). These claims are referred to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder (formerly dysthymic disorder) effective July 9, 2010. The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date and initial rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and PTSD/Depression are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining complete military records and a VA mental health examination.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) and remanded the claims of rhinitis and sinus disorder due to a lack of medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. His heart condition claim has been reopened due to new evidence, but the rating and effective date are not specified. The VA is ordered to provide a new examination for PTSD, heart condition, and respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Ulcerative Colitis were denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder with anxious features have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and anxiety/depression secondary to TBI, and erectile dysfunction secondary to acquired psychiatric disability due to inadequate examinations and potential missing in-service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims for right eye disorder, right knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorders were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder with symptoms of depression and anxiety, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her current mental health conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's entitlement to a 100 percent rating for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) with Major Depressive Disorder is granted.,The claim of entitlement to a total temporary evaluation due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days for service-connected condition is dismissed as moot, given the grant of a 100 percent rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his combined disability rating is already at 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Service connection for a heart condition is denied.,Service connection for a left hip condition is denied.,Service connection for a right hip condition is denied.,Service connection for a lower back condition is denied.,Service connection for skin issues is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as sleep issues) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as his posttraumatic muscle contraction headaches. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of increased rating for right knee disability, service connection for depression, obstructive sleep apnea, kidney disability, and hypertension. The Veteran is also required to provide updated information regarding his entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors and for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reopened due to new evidence submitted.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and established that it is related to his in-service stressor.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD rating from 50% to 70%, finding that the reduction was not supported by evidence of improvement in his condition.