Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder NOS prior to October 31, 2014, and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete examination reports.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied as there was no prior claim on a standard form prescribed by the Secretary. A rating of 70 percent for recurrent major depressive disorder with alcohol/drug use disorder from October 6, 2015 but not earlier is granted.

The Board has expanded the claim to include dementia and depressive disorder, as well as PTSD. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for PTSD but diagnosed him with dementia not otherwise specified. However, no opinion was provided regarding whether this condition is related to service. Therefore, remand is required to obtain private treatment records from Dr. B. Khan and C.F., and to provide a VA medical opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his military service.

Service connection is granted for migraine headaches.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, a back disorder, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors. The AOJ must verify these stressors and schedule a VA examination to determine if they caused PTSD, as well as assess whether the Veteran's bipolar disorder and depression had their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's depressive disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined and must be addressed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for MS, brain lesions, cognitive disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran has additional disabilities secondary to his service-connected MS, including vision disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, bladder and bowel dysfunction, foot drop, gait and imbalance issues, muscle spasms, left hand disability, left leg disability, and right leg disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the relationship between his psychiatric conditions and military service, as well as the cause of any additional disability resulting from a February 2009 surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depression is related to his service in Vietnam and racial discrimination during service, and thus grants service connection for depression.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from January 10, 2014. The right wrist scar and right hip injury claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable evaluation for plantar warts and service connection for acid reflux as secondary to headaches have been dismissed.,Her appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, which is now considered secondary to her service-connected restrictive airway disease (RAD), has also been denied. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hip disabilities. The AOJ will also obtain all outstanding records from SSA.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 29, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms meet criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and the need for an independent living evaluation. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and acne.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection due to exposure to loud noise during service. Service connection for anxiety and depression is also granted, but sleep apnea and PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (major depression disorder), and fibromyalgia have been granted. The claim for service connection for arthritis has been denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee condition and thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as back condition).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, mood disorder, and polysubstance use disorder. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo another VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's claimed Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, as there is evidence suggesting these conditions may be related to service. The current medical records do not provide sufficient information for a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder.