Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, a left foot condition to include the great toe, and tinnitus have been granted. The rating assigned is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.,The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his knee conditions, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, thoracic spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, neurological deficits, carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and determining whether the Veteran is a 'Veteran' under 38 U.S.C. § 101(2). The appeal will be further developed with respect to these matters.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating and SMC under 38 U.S.C. §1114 (s).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for migraine, hypertension, and sleep disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and schedule examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The claims for increased ratings of chondromalacia patella of both knees and service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a heart condition, an unspecified depressive disorder, and a headache condition. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder with panic attacks and depression) was productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximated considerably impaired ability to establish or maintain effective relationships with people prior to November 7, 1996. The Board granted an initial 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder from July 16, 1996.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as dilated cardiomyopathy, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death and there was no evidence linking his heart condition to service or any other conditions.

The Veteran's corns of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th toes on both feet are granted a 10 percent rating each. The Veteran’s persistent depressive disorder is granted a 10 percent rating prior to December 14, 2018, and denied any higher ratings thereafter.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), dermatophytosis of the left foot, and dermatophytosis of the right foot.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, but he contends that his condition has worsened. The Board finds it necessary to remand the case for updated medical treatment records and a new examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service connection for nightmares and increased disability ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to February 19, 2014 are denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 1, 2018, but his disability rating higher than 30 percent thereafter remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and mood disorder. The evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's 100% rating for his acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is restored. His appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 30% for the same condition is dismissed as moot due to the restoration of the rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression was rated at 50 percent prior to November 27, 2017 and denied for a higher rating. Since then, the claim has been denied again for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for renal cell carcinoma, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and a right ankle disability are being remanded.

The Board finds that further development of the record is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appellant has been diagnosed with various conditions and her attorney indicated interest in adjudicating the TDIU claim along with the PTSD claim.