Depression decisions — 2020

The Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea is proximately due to his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Depression and Alcohol Dependence, which caused him to gain weight. The Board has granted secondary service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder were rated at 70 percent for the period from April 24, 2013 to May 20, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, are related to service. The right foot bunion case is denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the condition and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete review of articles submitted by the Veteran, and a new addendum opinion is needed from the VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (PDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The decision is based on the Veteran's various diagnoses of a psychiatric disorder during and after service.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted service connection, but his post-traumatic stress disorder claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tension headaches, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Board has denied the claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for earlier effective date(s) for MDD with GAD and an increased rating. The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 70%.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, and his unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not appearing for a VA examination, and he is willing to attend another one. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder is medically linked to his in-service diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Board denied service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of clinical diagnosis and the presence of other diagnosed mental disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a low back condition, and a respiratory condition including shortness of breath have been granted. The acquired psychiatric disability claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to prostate cancer, thyroid condition, bilateral cataracts disability, respiratory condition (blood clots in the lungs), bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, left corneal dystrophy, hypertension, hernia condition, residuals of gallbladder removal, and residuals of electric shock. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete or inaccurate factual bases for previous opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder was granted in a May 2019 rating decision. The claims for inflammation of the joints, chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, elevated white cell blood count (WCB) and chronic blood disorder, lymphedema, postsurgical hypothyroidism, residuals of radiation exposure, sleep apnea, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee pain are all remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, cognitive impairment, and adjustment disorder, is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for chronic urticaria with angioedema and anaphylaxis is granted at a 40 percent level, effective from the date of his December 2014 claim. The Veteran's PTSD with depression (also diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder) remains rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's Cluster B personality traits are not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes, and service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically major depressive disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that this condition was incurred in or caused by military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for persistent depressive disorder was denied. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran already having a combined 100 percent schedular rating.