Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because she has already been awarded a TDIU effective September 20, 2016. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and PTSD.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and is now pending. A new opinion is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychosis and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is granted a 50% rating prior to December 4, 2019 and a 70% rating thereafter. A TDIU determination is granted from August 30, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, Lumbar Spine Disorder, and Cervical Spine Disorder have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated appropriately at 70 percent under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected psychiatric disability, but needs further examination and opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the appellant should be considered as a substitute party for the Veteran's pending appeals, but more information is needed to make this determination. The appeal regarding service connection and recognition of M.U.H. as the child will also need to be addressed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded it for further development. The claims for service connection for a dental disability, reopening of hepatitis C claim, tinnitus rating, and hearing loss rating are also remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease and the weight of the evidence is against a finding that his current condition is related to service.,The Veteran's low back condition, heart condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded, as well as his initial rating for psoriasis and total disability rating due to individual unemployability.,Service connection has been established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on the presumption of soundness at entry into service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder, is found to have its onset during active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and duodenal ulcer have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating of his acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression) is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant died during the pendency of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's contention that his current psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent effective from November 2, 2007 to January 30, 2018.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's major depressive disorder, including his claimed stressor event in service and any potential aggravation by a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, but denied service connection for major depressive disorder. The decision is based on the presumption of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and the Veteran's medical records.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran did not have anatomical loss or use of both feet, nor was he blind in both eyes, permanently bedridden, or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and incomplete service treatment records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders, is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA opinion on whether his mental health conditions are related to or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea.