Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional service personnel records and VA medical opinions regarding his claims for asthma, cold urticaria, pharyngitis, eating disorder, depression, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for the residuals of a laceration of the right third finger is held in abeyance pending adjudication of his claim of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the right hand. The issues are inextricably intertwined.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, cold urticaria (claimed as a skin condition), pharyngitis, and depression are remanded to obtain VA medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an eating disorder is remanded to obtain VA medical opinions regarding its etiology. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for an eating disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is not service-connected, and the Board finds that it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The TDIU claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, stemming from military sexual trauma is remanded due to the need for VCAA notice and a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing a supplemental opinion from an examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's depression.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and cannabis dependence with alcohol abuse, does not result in occupational and social impairment that warrants a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for thoracic spinal stenosis with myelopathy has been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic depression, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to October 23, 2002, or degenerative arthritis of the left knee prior to October 6, 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining alternative service information and VA treatment records. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to allow for a Social and Industrial Survey, as well as consideration of the assignment of a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features has been granted service connection. The claim for a compensable rating for tinea cruris was granted, while the other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, was rated at 30 percent prior to March 15, 2015, and at 50 percent as of that date. The decision granted the higher rating but did not address the TDIU claim.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and determined that the current acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there is no competent medical evidence of diagnosed PTSD. The Veteran has been diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder and rule-out schizophrenia versus schizotypal personality disorder. Service connection was not granted as new and material evidence had to be submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, but his claim for increased rating of CAD was withdrawn. The issue of service connection for depression remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional review of his submitted medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability existed prior to his entry into service and if it was permanently aggravated by in-service injury or as a result of any incident of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that her current diagnoses are not related to the adjustment disorder with depressed mood or atypical grief reaction she was treated for in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the correct diagnosis and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including whether his verified stressor event in service supports a PTSD diagnosis. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis was denied due to lack of a chronic residual respiratory disorder. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorders, low back disorder, and deafness in the right ear were also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.