Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's depression has been rated at 50 percent since the appeal period began, and the evidence does not show that his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed as he withdrew his claim during the July 2017 Board hearing.,The Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, pulmonary sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), and right lower extremity nerve disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing secondary service connection theories.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a pulmonary sleep disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between his obesity and service-connected disabilities, and whether it was caused or aggravated by his psychiatric disability.,The Veteran’s claim of service connection for a right lower extremity nerve disability is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses in the medical records regarding this condition.,The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, left knee instability with osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing his functional limitations during the period from August 11, 2011 to September 2012.,The Veteran's claim of increased rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses in the medical records regarding this condition.,The Veteran’s claims of increased ratings for depression are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing his functional limitations during the period from August 11, 2011 to September 2012.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, generalized osteoarthritis (OA), hypertension, and a psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied. Obesity is not considered a compensable disability under VA laws and regulations.,Service connection for residuals of left knee prosthetic replacement with painful and limited range of motion is granted at 60 percent effective July 5, 2016.,A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee OA based on limitation of flexion is granted.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of headaches and major depressive disorder for further development as requested.

The appeal for an extra-schedular rating for PTSD is denied. The issues of service connection for acid reflux and right shoulder strain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart condition, skin condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and depression. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is unclear, and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

Service connection has been granted for a cervical spine degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy, a mood disorder, and depressive disorder. Service connection remains denied for a left knee injury.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of cervical spine degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy, mood disorder, and depressive disorder are all considered to be related to his service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher ratings for depression before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, alcohol abuse, and PTSD are granted. The service connection for degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The case is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and inconsistent statements by the Veteran regarding his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder has been reopened and granted. The effective date is prior to November 9, 2006.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors. The claims will be reconsidered after multiple requests are made to verify these stressors.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee arthritis, PTSD, and depression were denied as new and material evidence was not received to support the claims.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is not caused or aggravated by her service-connected right knee disability.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran’s active duty military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his Eustachian tube dysfunction. The initial rating claim for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a heart disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there is no indication in the record of any in-service event causing such a condition or suggesting a relationship to his honorable period of service.