Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for neck injury and headaches have been granted, with a separate rating assigned for the TBI associated with her depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for a new medical opinion. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are being reviewed again.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including an impulse control disorder. The claim of secondary drug addiction is remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine if the current condition was caused or aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, claimed as depression and bipolar disorder, was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected prostatitis aggravated pre-existing depression and anxiety, leading to suicide.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and left knee disability are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of separation from service or are not otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension, dysthymia, depression with psychosis, memory loss, cognitive impairment, fatigue, joint pain, skin disorder, and flu-like symptoms are all found to be related to service. The Veteran served in the Southwest Asian Theater of operations during the Gulf War.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and panic disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical evidence linking his symptoms to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder was incurred in service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds his depression related to service. The Board also found no evidence linking sleep apnea to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board also dismissed his claim for major depressive disorder as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically depression, warrants a rating of 70 percent.,The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or event and no credible statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service.,The Board also denied service connection for depression, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or event and no credible statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA psychiatric evaluations and a new examination by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for hypertension, recurrent headaches, and a depressive disorder. Further development is required regarding the diabetes mellitus, testicular disorder, lumbosacral spine, right ankle, and right knee claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination findings and new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities and issuance of a Statement of the Case on the earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial rating for major depression and his claim for a TDIU. The Board has remanded these claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA examination.