Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence to determine their etiology. The Veteran reported injuries in service that may have contributed to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her service-connected psychiatric disabilities and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated examination and information on her employment status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his pre-existing anxiety and depression were not aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) has been granted, as well as secondary service connection for various conditions including chronic fatigue, depression, Raynaud's disease, irritable bowels, respiratory distress, and high grade fevers.,Secondary service connection was also granted for the Veteran's SLE in relation to his claimed disorders of chronic fatigue, depression (including insomnia), Raynaud's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory distress, and high-grade fevers.

The Board denied service connection and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for sleep apnea, insomnia, amputation of right leg, surgical scarring, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder (claimed as panic attacks and stress), diabetes, hypertension, circulatory disorder/left big toe, and erectile dysfunction.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions throughout the pendency of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a left knee condition due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's mental health conditions, specifically adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, are rated at 50 percent prior to February 19, 2016 and 70 percent thereafter. The rating for unspecified depressive disorder is also denied.

The Board has found that a timely notice of disagreement was filed, but the statement of the case has not been issued. The matter is therefore REMANDED for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran filed his intent to file a claim on November 29, 2017. The TDIU issue was also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gallbladder removal, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and vitiligo due to inadequate VA opinions and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are alleged to have aggravated her gallbladder condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset and cause of the Veteran's depression, which is related to his military service. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy is granted as service-connected due to the effects of his military occupational specialty (MOS) as a cannon crewman. Service connection for depressive disorder and PTSD, including right shoulder injury secondary to cervical spine disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was evaluated at a 70 percent rating. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's MDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. His cervical strain was rated at 20% effective February 26, 2019, with additional radiculopathy ratings for the right upper extremity and left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), hypertension, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, blurred vision, and erectile dysfunction due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease with associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and Diabetes, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder. The decision vacates the previous denial of this claim.