Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, is related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depression prior to November 14, 2017 is remanded due to the need to obtain treatment records from Dr. E.M.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified neurocognitive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and depression, is granted. The claims for service connection for PTSD and TBI are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, to include acquired psychiatric disorder with depression due to personal trauma, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas during the entire appellate period. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial disability rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an anxiety disorder and a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a 20% rating, but not in excess of that.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression has been reopened, and the case is being remanded to determine if his pre-existing depression was aggravated by service or if any other psychiatric disability had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's hypertension, blood clots, aneurysm with stroke, seizure disorder, memory impairment, depressive disorder, sleep disorder, nerve pain, kidney disorder, and anemia are not service-connected.,Tinnitus was also denied as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with MDD and awarded attorney fees from past-due benefits. The issue of an earlier effective date for the award of dependency for the Veteran's father is remanded, as well as the reasonableness of attorney fees for the December 2014 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence of record regarding PTSD diagnosis and treatment, as well as the need for verification of stressors. The Veteran is also diagnosed with anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. The issues of initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar stenosis prior to January 31, 2018; and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter are remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's disability picture most nearly approximated the criteria for the current 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further examination or opinion, as the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses do not include PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and depression were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for lumbar disc degeneration status post fusion, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, disability ratings in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea with insomnia, and disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for hypertension were denied.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for right ear hearing loss or erectile dysfunction. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

Service connection for major depressive disorder has been restored effective January 1, 2018.,The claims of service connection for back disability and right knee disability are still pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, GERD, depression, and tinnitus. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded to the RO.