Depression decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and dysthymic disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, obstructive sleep apnea, and lung disability have also been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating effective November 22, 1994.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ingrown toenails on both feet and depression has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all appeals by the Veteran’s attorney.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the absence of treatment records, including for lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as hiatal hernia/GERD), and right knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are not considered primary causes of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.,The claim for service connection for left tonsil carcinoma was reopened and granted, but not with an increased rating as it is still pending.,The Veteran’s major depressive disorder from December 26, 2017 onwards is rated at 70 percent. The earlier period remains unchanged.,The appeal for sleep apnea has been remanded.,The appeal for TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, was reopened but denied. The claim for secondary service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease due to a service-connected right knee condition is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is remanded to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and GERD, as there are insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to other disabilities. The Veteran will need additional medical evaluations to clarify these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of fatigue, diabetes mellitus, spinal tuberculosis, and depression due to incomplete medical release forms and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected major depression disorder. The VA needs to obtain additional records and schedule an appropriate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's condition was found to be causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleeping problems, panic disorder, nightmares, and depression is granted an initial 70 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being evaluated based on their relationship to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The appeal regarding hearing loss is still pending and must be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions in a previous VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, including schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, as well as any such conditions secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, is now pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of a right ring finger fracture has been withdrawn. The claims for major depressive disorder and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, to include depression and anxiety, has been rated at 70 percent since May 1, 2015. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and considering evidence from sources other than her service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded as there are outstanding treatment records that have not yet been associated with the claims file.,Further examination and opinion may be needed to determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to military service.