Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination for both Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Depressive disorder, as the current medical opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and radiculopathy, right lower extremity was denied. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were rated at 50 percent, but his radiculopathy was granted a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 100 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, bipolar II disorder and moderate cannabis use disorder, is granted. The effective date for this grant is set at August 25, 2010.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his symptoms were consistent with a 50 percent rating. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or major depressive disorder), and a skin disability have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has asserted continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if he qualifies for SMC on the basis of housebound status. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates on claims of increased rating, TDIU, and DEA has been dismissed as moot due to the full grant of benefits in a prior decision.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the April 1, 2020 rating decision was dismissed as he did not timely file a VA Form 10182 and good cause has not been shown to extend the filing deadline.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reduction of his disability rating for unspecified depressive disorder from 70 percent to 30 percent, effective September 11, 2020. The Board has dismissed the appeal as withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, morbid obesity, asthma bronchial, diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and major depressive disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that could be linked to these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia and morbid obesity are also denied because these conditions are not recognized as disabilities for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a thyroid disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected mental health disorders. The VA needs to provide a new opinion on whether the sleep apnea had its onset during service or is related to any incident of service, and if it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected mental health conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD with recurrent episodes, is related to his active service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss and service, despite noise exposure during service.,Tinnitus was not manifest during service or related to service. The Veteran's tinnitus began in 2004, almost two years after honorable discharge from service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed eyesight problem. There is no evidence of an in-service event that could be linked to current eye issues.,Service connection for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Tobacco Use Disorder is granted based on the Veteran's reported stressors during deployment in Bosnia.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50 percent, but no higher, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from December 23, 2020 to June 23, 2021. His service-connected psychiatric disorder has prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis (also claimed as pes planus) has been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for migraines, depression, hearing loss, and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). The decision is based on a finding that OSA is proximately due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied. The effective date remains January 23, 2012, and the current disability rating is 50 percent.