Depression decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for misdiagnosis of lung cancer and secondary service connection for a lung disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The Board found that VA did not fail to diagnose or treat the Veteran’s preexisting lung cancer, and there was no additional disability as a result of the August 2016 surgery.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's stressors for PTSD, and he is asked to provide additional details. The VA will also obtain relevant treatment records and schedule him for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and clarification of diagnoses, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected depression was denied. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and he will be compensated for all of his psychiatric symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including persistent depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, are not service-connected as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran's current mental health issues began many years after his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted a rating of 50 percent. Service connection for major depressive disorder and TDIU are granted effective April 3, 2018. The gout disability appeal is dismissed. Service connection for bronchial asthma and right ankle disability are remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD rating from 70 percent to 100 percent effective August 1, 2014, finding that there was no material improvement in her condition at the time of the reduction and that she continues to experience significant impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hyperalgesia as secondary to his service-connected depression disorder was dismissed.,Service connection for tremors, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, arthritis, osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to active duty or ACDUTRA service. The eye disability claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current diagnosed conditions are not related to service and thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent since October 30, 2008. A TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bunions, psychiatric disorders, and other disabilities, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and a right knee disability have been reopened. The appeal of these issues is granted.,Service connection has also been granted for a chronic headache disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated at 50 percent since December 6, 2012. The Board has determined that the current rating is appropriate based on symptoms such as difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulties in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss increased rating claim is remanded to obtain relevant treatment records and provide a new examination.,The Veteran's right fifth finger disability claim requires clarification due to the lack of an opinion on the etiology of his symptoms.,A VA examination is necessary for the left upper, right upper, and left lower extremities to determine if any current complaints are related to service.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) claim requires a new examination and opinion due to inconsistencies in his reports and lack of support from STRs.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal disability (GERD), lumbar spine disability, and shifted pelvis claims require the retrieval of relevant VA treatment records and clarification on sources of treatment for these disabilities.,,

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service connection for depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder has been granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities.