Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was not present in service and is not otherwise related to service or service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current psychiatric symptoms and his service-connected heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rosacea, asthma, enlarged prostate, chronic lower back pain, and major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected acne have been granted. The claim for service connection for asthma has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD are denied due to lack of diagnosed conditions during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability is denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to this condition.,The Veteran's claims for right ankle and left ankle disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The claim for service connection for mental health conditions including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and dysthymia is denied. The claims for right knee disability, pes planus (flat foot), and degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded.

The Veteran's MDD disability is rated at 70 percent for the entire initial rating period on appeal, effective June 12, 2012. An earlier effective date prior to June 12, 2012, for the grant of service connection for MDD is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by, at least, employment that has less interaction with people.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and dysthymic disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, obstructive sleep apnea, and lung disability have also been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating effective November 22, 1994.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ingrown toenails on both feet and depression has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all appeals by the Veteran’s attorney.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the absence of treatment records, including for lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as hiatal hernia/GERD), and right knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are not considered primary causes of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.,The claim for service connection for left tonsil carcinoma was reopened and granted, but not with an increased rating as it is still pending.,The Veteran’s major depressive disorder from December 26, 2017 onwards is rated at 70 percent. The earlier period remains unchanged.,The appeal for sleep apnea has been remanded.,The appeal for TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, was reopened but denied. The claim for secondary service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease due to a service-connected right knee condition is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is remanded to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and GERD, as there are insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to other disabilities. The Veteran will need additional medical evaluations to clarify these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of fatigue, diabetes mellitus, spinal tuberculosis, and depression due to incomplete medical release forms and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected major depression disorder. The VA needs to obtain additional records and schedule an appropriate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's condition was found to be causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleeping problems, panic disorder, nightmares, and depression is granted an initial 70 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being evaluated based on their relationship to service.