Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as recharacterization of the issue from service connection for specific conditions to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, left patellofemoral syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), allergic rhinitis, left palm ganglion cyst excision, herpes simplex, acne vulgaris, and uterine fibroids, have prevented the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, pes planus (claimed as fallen arches), sleep apnea, and hypertension due to potential new evidence received since the last final decision. The Veteran is requested to provide assistance in obtaining any outstanding records.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder and anxiety do not warrant separate ratings. The claim for service connection for malignant prostate is denied. The claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 25, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for lumbar sprain are remanded. The claim for service connection for a sleeping disorder secondary to PTSD is also remanded. The TDIU claim is remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including SSA benefits information. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, will be evaluated in light of all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and remanded the issue of individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left knee disability to include chronic knee pain and remanded other issues including cervical pain, colonic polyp/mass, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hypothyroidism and depression was granted, with an effective date of January 22, 2019.

The Veteran's prostate cancer evaluation was reduced from 100% to 60%, effective April 1, 2016. His depressive disorder with adjustment-like disorder and unspecified smoking-related disorder is rated at 50%. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction as secondary to that condition due to new evidence indicating PTSD. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD, and whether it is related to in-service trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for skin rash (eczema), PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability including major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further evaluation of sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Apnea due to unclear reasoning regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service personal assault stressor. The examiner must address potential markers of PTSD and opine on the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be reviewed again with new opinions on whether the condition was secondary to his service-connected conditions or if it had a direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxiety disorder has been reopened and granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the etiology of his low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The Board has also remanded the claims of increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain has been granted increased ratings for lumbar radiculopathy of the RLE, LLE, and depression. Service connection is also granted for a cervical spine condition secondary to his service-connected chronic low back strain.

The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder with anxious distress, effective December 10, 2015. The Veteran was granted TDIU and DEA benefits effective February 12, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (anxiety), and Major Depressive Disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to in-service stressors.