Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a thyroid disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected mental health disorders. The VA needs to provide a new opinion on whether the sleep apnea had its onset during service or is related to any incident of service, and if it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected mental health conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD with recurrent episodes, is related to his active service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss and service, despite noise exposure during service.,Tinnitus was not manifest during service or related to service. The Veteran's tinnitus began in 2004, almost two years after honorable discharge from service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed eyesight problem. There is no evidence of an in-service event that could be linked to current eye issues.,Service connection for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Tobacco Use Disorder is granted based on the Veteran's reported stressors during deployment in Bosnia.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50 percent, but no higher, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from December 23, 2020 to June 23, 2021. His service-connected psychiatric disorder has prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis (also claimed as pes planus) has been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for migraines, depression, hearing loss, and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). The decision is based on a finding that OSA is proximately due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied. The effective date remains January 23, 2012, and the current disability rating is 50 percent.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, was granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's rating for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective December 21, 2019. The reduction is void ab initio and the prior rating of 70% is restored. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal in February 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, pure dysthymic syndrome, and adjustment disorder with depressive and anxious features. The persuasive weight of the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's MDD was initially rated at 70 percent prior to August 16, 2018. From that date until February 13, 2020, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a higher 100 percent rating should be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that her obesity, which is related to her mental health conditions, led to her current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as Social Adjustment Disorder) to include PTSD and depression, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. No service connection is granted for any condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression with psychotic features, is related to service and remanded for further development.