Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder with substance abuse was granted a 70 percent evaluation prior to July 29, 2019. The case is remanded for further development regarding the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent after July 29, 2019, and TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, as his claim was received on May 3, 2018 and he did not file a complete intent to file form prior to that date.

The Veteran's intermittent dyspepsia with altered bowel movements is granted as an undiagnosed illness.,Service connection for nummular dermatitis is granted.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for inguinal hernia, to include as secondary to intermittent dyspepsia with altered bowel movements, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, migraine headaches, and dermatitis were originally denied. New evidence was submitted after the final denial that supports her claim of service connection for these conditions. The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, general anxiety disorder, and depression, but denied service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed disabilities, including multiple myeloma and diabetes mellitus type II, are not related to an undiagnosed illness or a Gulf War syndrome. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions have known etiologies unrelated to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from December 22, 2015 to October 24, 2018. A TDIU is granted from December 22, 2015. The July 2016 denial of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his lumbar spine disability and TDIU claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and as secondary to military sexual trauma. The VA will obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if she has any current psychiatric disorders related to service, and another audiological examination to assess her hearing loss.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective November 5, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided that additional evidence and a new VA examination are needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his service. The AOJ must verify any in-service stressors reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Major Depressive Disorder is granted.,Other issues, including those related to the right shoulder, knee, ankle, and dental conditions, are remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability to include depressive disorder.,Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder).,However, service connection is denied for a back disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression. The most probative evidence does not establish that the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or that his current psychiatric disabilities are causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD/depression and hypertension have been reopened, and he is granted service connection for major depression with psychotic features and panic disorder with agoraphobia. Service connection has also been granted for substance abuse disorder as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The claim for hypertension remains pending due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression due to potential unverified in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for additional records and an updated examination.

The Veteran's acquired mental condition to include depressive disorder and PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective April 21, 2010. The claim for a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and headaches has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection for MDD was granted in a previous decision.