Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD. The appeals are now remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the claimed stressor and a VA examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for cervical spine disability, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) was granted. The claim for stomach cramps is denied. The effective date of service connection for psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bronchitis, hypertension, and headaches have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were consistent with the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment. Bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as there are questions about its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates ranging from August 11, 1995 to September 17, 2014. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for psychiatric disability has also been granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, is granted as service connected. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing the condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent with severe psychotic features is presumed to have been incurred in service and granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated a 70 percent disability rating, which does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including tinnitus, hypertension, Raynaud's phenomenon with complex regional pain syndrome, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and major depressive disorder (psychiatric disability), and erectile dysfunction. The decision also remanded several issues related to left leg disability, sleep apnea, urinary incontinence, and TDIU.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The claims for increased ratings and separate rating were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,Issues of service connection for headaches, loss of balance/dizziness (secondary to hearing loss), right ear hearing loss, left and right sciatic nerve disabilities, and insomnia disorder have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The Board found that new evidence, including a private audiogram showing current hearing impairment within VA standards, was sufficient to reopen the claim.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted as it was first manifested during service and not attributable to any other cause.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes and other nonservice-connected disabilities. The claim for a bilateral ear disability, otitis media and recurrent tinnitus, is remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee braces are not service-connected disabilities, so he is not eligible for a clothing allowance.,The Veteran’s low back brace was found to not cause wear and tear on his clothing based on the VHA Handbook 1173.15.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded to obtain a medical opinion addressing the etiology of his sleep disorder.

The Veteran's death was caused by a drug overdose, but the Board found that his service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to this death. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions, as well as his reports of constant suicidal thoughts. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining any relevant private counseling records.

The Veteran's left lower extremity compression peripheral neuropathy and major depression and panic disorder without agoraphobia have progressed, requiring updated examinations. The hypertension claim is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and osteochondritis dissecans with degenerative arthritis of the right knee are being remanded due to incomplete information or procedural issues.