Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, her left and right hallux valgus are each rated at 10 percent, and she is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and psoriasis claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for depression, left and right knee disabilities, arthritis of the hands, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board has also determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's service connection claims.,The Veteran is being asked to provide more information regarding his in-service injuries, as well as any private treatment records from P.L., LCSW, and Dr. T.O.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disorder is not attributable to service and denied his claim for service connection. The PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder issue was remanded due to a need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduled VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disability, as the Veteran was unable to attend due to his ongoing cancer. The AOJ is instructed to reschedule the examination and attempt to obtain any relevant medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinus/allergic rhinitis, headache condition, hypertension, skin cancer of the bilateral arms, high cholesterol, bilateral shoulder condition, appendix removal residuals, colon condition, GERD, brain stem stroke, sleep apnea, and heart condition. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective December 2, 2016. A TDIU has also been granted from the same date.,Hearing loss/ear disability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in fulfilling its duty to assist and because of a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again, with an emphasis on verifying her claimed stressor and obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10% evaluation, but no more. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of these cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation for denying service connection for a right leg disability, including right leg lengthening.,Additional development is needed to determine if the leg length discrepancy constitutes a recognized disability.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and personality disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The cause of death was not found to be related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right shin disorders, hearing loss, residuals of hypothermia, and a psychiatric disorder. The Board found no evidence of chronic or identifiable disabilities in or after service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and panic disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all issues except the psychiatric disorder, which was dismissed due to lack of appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, are caused or aggravated by her service-connected migraine headaches. The Veteran is asked to provide additional private treatment records and for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but granted service connection for depression and tinnitus.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his death. The other conditions are not service-connected.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's depression and TBI to his service-connected disability.