Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss and service connection for major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is granted service connection. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variably diagnosed as Alcohol Dependence disorder, Obsessive Compulsive disorder, Depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating from July 28, 2015 to December 3, 2015. From February 1, 2016 onwards, his PTSD symptoms were rated at 70%. The Board found that these ratings adequately reflected his disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including an adjustment disorder with anxious mood, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, sleep problems, and depressive episodes, is rated at 70 percent from October 25, 2004.

The Veteran's right wrist condition is related to his service-connected right ankle disability.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is attributable to a service-connected disability (unspecified depressive disorder).,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder originated during his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was restored to a 100% rating from March 1, 2017. The reduction in rating from 100% to 70% was found to be improper due to the evidence showing actual improvement but not sustained under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability, was granted. Her PTSD claim was denied. A 20% rating for sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity is also granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The cases of residuals of a cancerous right shoulder tumor and major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability and depressive disorder have been granted service connection, but his tinnitus and left knee disability status post total arthroplasty remain at the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran has had issues remanded for further evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has also been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, unsteady gait, and abnormalities in mood and affect (unspecified depressive disorder) due to TBI or as secondary to his service-connected headaches disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need of aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's arthritis is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and there is no credible evidence linking the condition to asbestos exposure.,There is no current breathing disability that can be linked to asbestos exposure. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed breathing disability, but his shortness of breath was attributed to congestive heart failure (CHF).,The Veteran's headaches are not service-connected as there is no evidence linking the condition to service or any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's depression is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service and there is no credible evidence linking the condition to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability diagnosed during the appeal period.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from November 8, 2010. The Board finds the evidence supports a higher rating due to severe symptoms and occupational/social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including mood disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are related to his service. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion based on the presumption that the Veteran was sound at entrance to service with no pre-existing mental health diagnoses.

The Veteran's diabetes is granted as presumptively due to herbicide agent exposure. The hypertension and psychiatric disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.