Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal regarding TBI, depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, right knee strain and tendonitis, and left knee strain and tendonitis has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a Board decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and substance use disorder, was at least as likely as not aggravated by in-service trauma. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to its inextricability with his pending claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability and diabetes mellitus. A new VA examination is required to determine if OSA was caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the claim of service connection for Depression. The COPD denial is based on a lack of evidence linking it to active service or service-connected sleep apnea with pulmonary sarcoidosis, while the depression issue requires further examination to reconcile previous diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to October 21, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for both the PTSD with major depressive disorder and GERD, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The Veteran's lay statements indicate he had ongoing symptoms after service.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period. The Board also granted a TDIU but noted that further clarification of employment history was needed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a vision disability is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), bilateral median neuropathy, bilateral ulnar neuropathy, cervical spine disability, memory loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and heart disability are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they are currently rated at 50%.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be secondary to his newly granted service-connected depressive disorder. An addendum opinion is needed from the May 2019 VA examiner regarding this theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Appellant's claim regarding the cause of the Veteran’s death, including reviewing private treatment records and VA medical records. The examiner will need to provide a fully-explained opinion on whether the service-connected depressive disorder and/or OSA disabilities were a causal or contributory cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is requested to determine if the Veteran's mental disorders are related to his military service and specifically whether he has PTSD based on a verified stressor of being in a snowstorm for three days.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and a temporary total evaluation due to left knee disability was dismissed. The application to reopen claims of service connection for right knee disorder and depression were granted.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for hypertension, chronic depression, and chronic lumbar strain. The left wrist disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted an initial rating of 70 percent. The Veteran also receives a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not received to support the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and anxiety, is at least as likely as not related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.