Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis with headaches is granted. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a mental condition is reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including depression and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and in-service events or stressors.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding asthma. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, residuals of a stroke, and depression/anxiety have been reopened but denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with MDD prior to May 23, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating. For TDIU prior to May 23, 2018, the Veteran's combined disability rating at the time did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hiatal hernia with GERD, bilateral shin splints, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, hemorrhoids, right wrist sprain, left wrist sprain, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral pes planus were granted effective July 1, 2016. Claims for other conditions are denied as they were not received within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective December 5, 2017. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

Service connection for left eye dermatochalasis is restored effective May 1, 2018.,Service connection for major depressive disorder is restored effective January 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and requires additional development. The claims of service connection for depressive disorder, heart disability, and gastrointestinal disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder, depressive with alcohol dependence syndrome is rated at 70 percent disabling as of August 8, 2011. The Board found the symptoms more closely approximated a 70 percent evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to non-service-connected conditions such as obesity and amputation.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic attacks, recurrent major depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder is currently rated at 70 percent since March 6, 2017. The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for headaches and PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was denied, but a higher rating of 50 percent was granted for the latter condition prior to September 28, 2018.,For the period from September 28, 2018, onwards, the Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, primary open-angle glaucoma, and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and a thyroid disability are also remanded due to lack of medical nexus opinions. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as combat stress anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the presence of a current psychiatric condition. The AOJ must schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine his exact diagnosis and etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements suggest in-service events may have contributed to his current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's unspecified depression with anxious distress is rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of this rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, but denied service connection for TBI. The decision supports the claim for depression based on in-service mental health complaints and subsequent diagnosis. Service connection for TBI is denied due to lack of evidence showing active duty or training status at the time of injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened. His claim is granted. The rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS in excess of 10 percent prior to August 14, 2018, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is also granted.