Depression Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is reopened, but the Board finds that additional development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for updated evidence.

The Veteran's claims for hair loss, bilateral eye disorder, memory loss (also claimed as mood swings and depression), erectile dysfunction, dermatitis and eczema (a skin condition), and obstructive sleep apnea have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Board dismissed all issues related to initial evaluations, effective dates, and service connection for various conditions. The TDIU claim was remanded due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted service connection. The rating for asthma remains at 30 percent, and the Board finds that TDIU from January 31, 2013 to March 15, 2019 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and mild neurocognitive disorder (mixed type), as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and sleep apnea secondary to his major depressive disorder were reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for major depressive disorder was granted, with the Board finding that it is related to his active service.,The claim for sleep apnea secondary to major depressive disorder was also granted, with the Board concluding that the Veteran's depression during service likely caused or aggravated his current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was reduced from a 70% rating to a 50% rating, but the Board found this reduction improper and restored the 70% rating as of March 1, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, Major Depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder based on a confirmed in-service stressor related to the Veteran's sexual assault. The conditions are presumed due to the nature of the injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the Board finds that new and material evidence does not establish an in-service injury or disease. The current knee condition is also not related to service.,Service connection for a bilateral knee disability cannot be established as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or event leading to current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease are remanded due to the need to determine if he served within 12 nautical miles from Vietnam shores during his service aboard USS Okinawa. The claims for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression) also require additional development.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder is remanded as the Veteran needs to confirm his report of exposure to burning feces in service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability claim requires further examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for bilateral knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal was also dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify in-service stressors and for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's right eye homonymous hemianopsia and left eye vitreous floaters are rated at a 70 percent effective from November 29, 2007. The Veteran's depression with memory loss is rated at a 70 percent effective from November 29, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current mental health issues are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and lack of clear explanation regarding a potential penile deformity related to prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is reopened and remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions, specifically PTSD and depression. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issue of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, chronic headaches, and psychiatric disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional medical opinions.