Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea as aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's death is not related to her military service, and the appellant seeks nonservice-connected survivor's pension benefits based on her pre-existing conditions. The appeal requires further development of her service records.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with the January 2018 remand directives and therefore, both issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date for PTSD claimed as depressive disorder NOS and entitlement to an initial evaluation greater than 30 percent disabling for PTSD claimed as depressive disorder NOS are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with dysthymia is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, was caused by or is otherwise related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee osteoarthritis and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to clarify his diagnoses and determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he did not file a Notice of Disagreement within the one-year period following his August 8, 2019 decision.

The appeals for service connection of depression, coronary artery disease, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected residuals of left knee strain, and therefore grants the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 100 percent for PTSD with MDD was denied. The appeal for an effective date prior to May 16, 2016 for SMC was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is granted a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective November 4, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for service connection as defined by VA regulations.,Regarding type II diabetes mellitus, there is no evidence of its presence within one year after separation from service and continuity of symptomatology is not established.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to lack of evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder to include bipolar disorder with an effective date of June 10, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and his entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective February 3, 2006. The Board also granted a TDIU effective March 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions. The VA will need to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral lumbosacral disorder, anxiety, and depression have been dismissed due to the identical nature of the requests submitted on multiple occasions.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, and sinusitis. The claim of service connection for a disability manifested by perceived noise in the ears is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral lumbosacral disorder, anxiety, and depression have been dismissed due to the identical nature of the requests submitted on multiple occasions.