Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not decided whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen each individual claim. The initial rating for depressive disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, psychosis, and PTSD have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection has not yet been established for any condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including multiple anxiety and depressive disorders, is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral shin splints and sinusitis was granted. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle strain, migraines, major depressive disorder, low back strain, plantar fasciitis, and pes planus were also granted with specific rating assignments.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining U.S. Navy ship logs and VA treatment records, as well as a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to uncertainty about whether symptoms of Major Depression are part of the service-connected PTSD or a separate condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service and is presumed to be related. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports his claim for service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to be 90 percent disabling, but they do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS and depression, is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate addendum opinions from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of these benefits.,Claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings for left shoulder disability and PFB are denied as a matter of law.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS. The claims are being remanded for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is characterized by depressed mood, constricted affect, concentration difficulties, and anhedonia. The symptoms are consistent with a higher 50 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of hazardous duty pay and confirming the Veteran's unit assignment during service in Korea. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD due to any claimed service-related stressor and to determine the nature and etiology of his other psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, and depression is being remanded due to the need to verify his reported in-service stressors and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is shown to cause occupational and social impairment only during periods of significant stress; it is no more than mild.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the case is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected PTSD on his employability and consideration of all pertinent evidence.