Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder due to a lack of compliance with previous remand orders, including scheduling an appropriate VA examination. The case is now pending further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, has been dismissed due to the Veteran opting into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, bipolar, and major depressive disorders, is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to conduct a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to lack of compliance with examination requirements, need for new evidence, and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 70 percent and no higher for major depressive disorder with substance abuse disorder is granted, but the case is remanded to determine if TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder is granted a disability rating of 100 percent, effective from January 29, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are related to in-service personal assault. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions and also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for a sleep disorder, finding that his symptoms are already contemplated in his service-connected psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right hip disabilities, as well as left and right knee disabilities. A rating of 70 percent was granted for major depressive disorder from June 1, 2019 to May 13, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and a mood disorder not otherwise specified, has been reopened. The Board also remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed in-service stressors and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations to assess his current psychiatric condition.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to November 26, 2018. The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), migraines secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to migraine disorder. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 0%.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected chronic pain conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than MDD, bilateral metatarsalgia, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, mechanical low back pain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder including sleep disturbances secondary to the Veteran's service-connected kidney cancer, finding that his depression was proximately due to his kidney disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA records. The issues include service connection for Crohn's disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), a right knee disorder, a left knee disorder, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are granted on a secondary basis, while tinnitus is granted. High cholesterol, left leg disability (apart from service-connected left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), right leg disability (apart from service-connected right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and thyroid disability are all denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, and TDIU claims are remanded.