Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's depression and bilateral hearing loss have been granted initial ratings of 50 percent each, effective December 16, 2016. The Veteran has also been granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities since that date.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for a back disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including rating reductions and earlier effective dates. The specific claims include right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, major depressive disorder, right ankle posttraumatic degenerative changes, left hand scar, right hip degenerative joint disease, ear nerve damage, left wrist flexor tendinitis, right wrist flexor tendinitis, tinnitus, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, arthritis of the wrists and hands associated with service-connected carpel tunnel syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has not reached a decision on these claims at this time.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and related complications such as neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and depression, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 17, 2012. The effective date for this TDIU is set at June 17, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 5, 2014, for the grant of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and personnel records, which are needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder has been granted a 100% disability rating since June 26, 2013. The Board also found that the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine if his skin condition is related to exposure to chemicals during active service.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression.

The Board has recharacterized the appeal as involving a psychiatric disorder and is now remanding it for further development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling a VA medical examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's service and his current psychiatric condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, psychiatric disability (to include depression), and sleep apnea or sleep disorder due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and her active service.,The case is remanded as there are no clear indications that any current disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to MST and finds that new evidence supports a link between her current diagnoses and military service. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Depression, is related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his insomnia disorder (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome with symptoms of impaired attention and concentration, fatigue, joint aches, muscle aches, and depression) is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability and major depressive disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has not been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, so the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 10, 2014 for service connection of insomnia with depression due to evidence showing the condition existed prior to the claim being submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a verified stressor event in service, and for further examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that the December 2011 rating decision granting service connection for bipolar disorder, effective February 17, 2009, did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.