Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The low back disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her service connection claims and a separate rating for bladder impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current PTSD is as likely as not attributable to his in-service stressors events occurring between August 1982 to June 2, 1986.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently bedridden, thus he is denied special monthly compensation based on housebound status or permanent need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as it has been granted and rendered moot. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder, is remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was reopened, and he is now granted service connection. His low back disability remains rated at 10 percent, but the appeal for an increased rating is denied. Accrued benefits are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder has been granted, with an initial rating of 70 percent. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee disability is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the issue. The Board has remanded several other issues including peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, skin disability (PFB), bilateral kidney disability, hearing loss, insomnia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and eye conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) caused or aggravated his hypertension. The case must be returned for an addendum opinion.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

An effective date of November 10, 2016 for a 100% rating for persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety is granted.,The claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is remanded until the TDIU claim is adjudicated.

The Veteran's depression with PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 1, 2009. He was previously denied a higher rating and his TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective April 17, 2019.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and intermittent episodes of major depressive disorder, is now service-connected. His obstructive sleep apnea has also been granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and personality disorder. The Veteran's symptoms were observed after his discharge from service, and the VA examiner found no link between any current psychiatric condition and his military service.

The Veteran's condition has worsened since the last VA medical opinion, and a new examination is needed to determine his current need for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking his mental health condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied because there is no current diagnosis and the medical records do not indicate an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis and lack of credible evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, with the requirement of regulation of activities not met.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetic retinopathy status post bilateral cataracts removal is remanded as there is no current visual field impairment data provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, anxiety disorder, headaches, sleep apnea, shoulder strain, vertigo, back issues, sciatica, and nerve damage in the upper extremities, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disability for some conditions (e.g., left ear hearing loss) or insufficient symptoms to warrant higher ratings.