Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hip disabilities. The AOJ will also obtain all outstanding records from SSA.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 29, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms meet criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and the need for an independent living evaluation. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and acne.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection due to exposure to loud noise during service. Service connection for anxiety and depression is also granted, but sleep apnea and PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (major depression disorder), and fibromyalgia have been granted. The claim for service connection for arthritis has been denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee condition and thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as back condition).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, mood disorder, and polysubstance use disorder. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo another VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's claimed Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, as there is evidence suggesting these conditions may be related to service. The current medical records do not provide sufficient information for a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete notification and potential new evidence, as well as the need for a VA examination regarding his mental health conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, is service-connected. The decision also found that the pre-existing condition of a psychiatric disability did not exist before service entrance.

The Board has remanded the claims for traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety condition, severe headaches, left foot condition, right foot condition, intervertebral disk syndrome (claimed as low back problems), left hip problems, and right knee condition due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and mood disorders with anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a response from the Veteran regarding any private medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and lumbar spine disability have been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the applications remain denied. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran's coronary artery disease remains rated at 60% and hypertension at 10%. These ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from May 4, 2009 to April 16, 2019. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from May 4, 2009 to April 16, 2019. From April 16, 2019, a total schedular rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin cancer, an eye disability, PTSD, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also remanded as it involves a mental health condition that may be related to his claimed skin disability.,The Board has not addressed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability due to 38 U.S.C. § 1151, which was referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, penile conditions, and depression, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic lymphocyte leukemia disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and depression). The claim for the psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new evidence of in-service stressors. However, the Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.