Depression Board decisions

The Board has restored service connection for depressive disorder with poly-substance dependence, previously diagnosed as major depression with anxiety and poly-substance dependence in remission, finding the severance was improper due to conflicting evidence regarding its relation to service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD with MDD, anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder, was not shown to be productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates total occupational and social impairment from February 20, 2009 to September 19, 2012. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms reflected no more than moderately severe difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's TBI is related to service or secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been reopened. The claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sciatica, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on loss of use, and TDIU are also remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, but his claim for a chronic respiratory disorder was denied. The decision is mixed as one issue was granted and the other was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury, including TBI residuals, and for depression and PTSD. The claims are based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS with depression and PTSD features has resulted in occupational and social impairment warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for right knee condition and left knee condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and TBI residuals. The neck disorder claim is denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for a new examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted. Additionally, the issue of TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and review. The appeals are not related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disorder, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder are found to be related to his current headaches. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is assigned the minimum noncompensable rating due to the nature of the disability. A higher rating for tinnitus is not granted, and a higher rating for major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted as a result of herbicide exposure during service in Thailand. Service connection for diabetic neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that there was no increase in severity during service and concluding that the pre-existing condition did not permanently worsen due to military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that the Veteran did not have a mental disorder related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and reopening of a claim for back injury, as well as the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Veteran's private psychologist provided an opinion that his personality disorder may be superimposed upon another diagnosed condition. Additionally, outstanding SSA records and private treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claim is now reopened and will be reviewed on its merits.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis (MS) is denied. No new and material evidence has been received within a year of the November 2014 decision.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus prior to September 7, 2016 is denied. The maximum schedular rating available (10%) has been assigned.,No effective date prior to September 7, 2016 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted as the evidence does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date and increased ratings were granted. The Veteran received a 20% rating for his radiculopathy of the right upper extremity from February 1, 2016 to May 29, 2018, and for his left upper extremity from February 1, 2016 to May 29, 2018. The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20% were denied.