Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of PTSD related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for other acquired psychiatric disorders (other than PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding pre-existence and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's 100% disability rating for major depressive disorder was not considered permanent, thus preventing the award of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to October 17, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's unspecified neurocognitive disorder with unspecified depressive disorder has been granted a 100 percent rating effective July 20, 2016.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded for further evaluation due to inconsistencies in the severity assessment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The cases of obstructive sleep apnea, urinary disability (neurogenic bladder and voiding dysfunction), and asthma are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not interfere with his employment from September 22, 2009 through February 28, 2010. The Board denied the TDIU claim as he was able to obtain and maintain gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following reasons: obtaining outstanding SSA records, obtaining any outstanding private and VA treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his acquired psychiatric disability, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and major depressive disorder) and a right knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bipolar/depression condition has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and consideration of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as it was not factually ascertainable that her service-connected disability rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation within one year prior to December 21, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, but granted service connection and assigned a rating for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from the date of his claim. His bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, but no higher.

The Board has vacated the July 16, 2019 decision and remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions. The claims are now pending with the RO for further review.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed conditions, which include gastrointestinal issues and varicose veins. The examinations will also assess whether any of these conditions are related to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression and PTSD is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for memory loss is denied because it is a manifestation of his service-connected PTSD with minor neurocognitive disorder and mild memory loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no medical opinion connecting her current depressive disorder to in-service events or symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches, chronic kidney stones, a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), and OSA have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions of in-service onset or relationship to service.,There was no current diagnosis of these conditions at any time during the pendency of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including the completion of a VA Form 21-8940 to assess her employability due to service-connected disabilities.