Depression Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals on service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma prior to October 2, 2018, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma from October 2, 2018, and thereafter. The appeal for TDIU is also dismissed. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shingles or other skin disorder was granted. The claims for Parkinson’s disease, actinic keratosis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with stimulant use disorder in remission and major depressive disorder with psychotic features have been rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her right hip bursitis claim was granted, and she received a 70% rating for her service-connected depressive disorder. The claims for opiate dependence were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically whether they are related to service or pre-existed service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 50 percent since February 9, 2012. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if a higher rating or TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's other specified depressive disorder is manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, and disturbances of motivation and mood. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but less than deficiencies in most areas. Therefore, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's other specified depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA opinion to determine if the Veteran has had any acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD at any point since May 2012, and whether such disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and depression secondary to the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. His depression is not related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Service connection is established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder and PTSD), a right ankle disability, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to outstanding private disability records.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The claim for nonservice-connected pension is moot as it was superseded by the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for PTSD, scars, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include ADHD) and a chronic headache disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The VA is required to provide an examination or obtain a medical opinion in order to make a decision on these claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, anxiety and CAD, are found to be related to his service in Damascus, Syria. The Board granted the claim of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder requires additional development as there are incomplete medical records. The Board is requesting the Veteran to provide authorization and identify private treatment records from 2005 to 2006 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD ratings are granted, but her claims for service connection of various conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted, and the issues of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, temporary total disability rating for hospitalization, and TDIU due to additional development needed. Specifically, records from in-service mental health treatment are required, as well as personnel records regarding an Article 15 incident.