Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition characterized by depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss. The rating assigned is noncompensable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, sciatic nerve disorder, left and right knee disabilities, left and right hip disabilities, and lower extremity radiculopathies. The primary basis for denial is that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased ratings of dizziness, headaches, major depressive disorder, and a fractured right lower rib. The claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his active duty service. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development as a result of an August 2019 Joint Motion for Partial Remand. The Veteran is seeking service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD and a respiratory disorder, to include as due to asbestos exposure. A new VA examination is required to address the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disorders did not onset during service and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II to include as due to herbicide exposure and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than depressive disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder) are both remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's major depressive disorder. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion from a psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The skin rash condition is rated as noncompensable, and the dacryocystitis of the left eye claim has been dismissed due to lack of appeal on the issue of effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for left shoulder condition, frostbite residuals of the left lower extremity, and MDD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, including alcohol abuse, was rated at a maximum of 100 percent prior to November 28, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran’s service-connected conditions, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, contributed to his fatal drug use, which caused his death. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30% rating as of October 18, 2013. Prior to this date, he was rated at 10%. The increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar strain remain denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for left knee mild osteoarthritis and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress as they have been granted in a previous rating decision.,Service connection is granted for chronic sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea, both of which are found to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the April 2018 Supplemental Statement of the Case, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder is being reconsidered.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, MDD, ADHD, and SUD. The Board also found that his left knee disability aggravates his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient stressor verification for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's service in Thailand is confirmed, but additional verification is needed for his claimed Vietnam-related stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate medical examination and the need for additional evidence, including private treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are being considered as secondary to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and polysubstance abuse is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, effective January 26, 2009. From October 16, 2009, he is also granted a TDIU.