Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) and hypertension as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and depressive disorder has been reopened, and the Board finds that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The claims are granted with an initial rating of 50 percent for IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, subject to the laws and regulations controlling the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neurogenic bladder, major depressive disorder, and renal toxicity due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations to determine the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection and rating issues related to migraine headaches and persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is not rated higher than 70 percent. From June 1, 2014 to December 3, 2019, the Veteran's DDD with spondylosis of the lumbar spine was granted a 20 percent rating. The Veteran's meniscal and ACL tears status post-surgery with degenerative arthritis of the right knee were granted a 20 percent rating from June 14, 2019. The Veteran's trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip was granted a 20 percent rating starting from June 19, 2017.

The Board granted the reopening of claims for service connection for a right lower lip disability and a psychiatric disability, but remanded all issues for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and a neck condition. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Service connection is granted for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia, primary insomnia, and PTSD and MDD.,The Veteran's joint pain condition, right knee disability, and genitourinary disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder associated with epididymitis, right testicle are now rated at 100% effective January 17, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder effective August 8, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury with depression, right knee replacement, right knee scar, left knee sprain with instability, and left knee sprain with limitation of flexion is granted effective from February 24, 1982.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder is granted a 100% disability rating from the date of service connection.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, to obtain additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent since June 7, 2002. An earlier effective date of June 7, 2002 for the TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen her claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeals for service connection of a right knee disability, left knee disability secondary to a right knee disability, depression secondary to a right knee disability, and a visual disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of use of both buttocks was denied as there is no evidence that the incident caused a permanent disability resulting from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for migraine headaches, PTSD with major depressive episodes, right hip strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that there is a need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as new VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive episodes, bilateral knees, and hips.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia (previously claimed as paranoid schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, a personality disorder and/or PTSD, due to the need for additional development of the record. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound condition when examined, accepted, and enrolled for service except as to defects, infirmities, or disabilities noted at the time of examination, acceptance, enrollment, or where clear and unmistakable evidence demonstrates that the injury or disease existed before acceptance and enrollment and was not aggravated by such service. A new etiological opinion is required.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to January 1, 2011. The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for this condition.