Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep impairment, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence suggesting a possible secondary relationship with service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Further examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as service connected.,His major depressive disorder is found to have been aggravated during his deployment, warranting service connection.,There is no evidence of a kidney disability at any time related to the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis and mild degenerative disc disease of the neck with degenerative arthritis, have been found to aggravate his psychiatric conditions resulting in diagnoses such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and unspecified bipolar disorder. Service connection is granted for these acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent for the period prior to December 17, 2019. For the period beginning December 17, 2019, a higher rating of more than 50 percent is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to November 22, 2019. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and denied basic eligibility to DEA benefits under Chapter 35.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The right elbow disability claim was denied due to lack of in-service injury and no nexus.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death. For the period from July 7, 2010 to September 15, 2010, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Major Depression with anxious distress, and Insomnia disorder as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or a causal relationship to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome or an acquired psychiatric disorder due to chronic pain syndrome. The preponderance of evidence does not support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD). The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and MDD, which are linked to his in-service stressors. As such, the claim is reopened and granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for kidney failure has been granted. The Board finds new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the Veteran’s claim, which is raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7305. The Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are primarily continuous abdominal pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, depression, and PTSD. The decision is based on a lack of current diagnosis during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for hypothyroidism and depression and attention deficit disorder have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and failure to address all in-service stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as TBI residuals, need further evaluation.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective July 1, 2014.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the death of the Veteran due to VA medical treatment, finding no evidence that VA's care caused or aggravated his mental condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset of symptoms and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and an unspecified depressive disorder), and GERD have been granted. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded. An increased rating of 60 percent from March 13, 2020 has been granted for GERD.