Depression decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address certain evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is now before the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 10, 1999. The TDIU is granted for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and TDIU benefits are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his anxiety disorder and depression, preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to his receipt of a 100 percent rating effective from July 25, 2016. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals regarding the increased rating for lumbar spondylosis and service connection for depression before a decision was made.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing appropriate notice regarding stressor verification.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status was denied as he is not bedridden, blind, or in need of regular aid and assistance due to service-connected disabilities. His condition does not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the claimed stressor and obtain relevant SSA records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was rated at 70 percent from January 8, 2013 and granted effective as of that date. The claim for a TDIU is also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for establishment of his son as a 'helpless child' on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support, effective January 25, 2006. The issues of service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction, and entitlement to TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders (other than PTSD, other specified trauma-and-stressor related disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder NOS), to include dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder, insomnia, and mood disorder, NOS, are not attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and schizoaffective disorder, is etiologically related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that the Veteran did not provide good cause for failing to report for VA examinations. The claims for PTSD and migraine headaches are denied due to failure to report for VA examination without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, MDD, and Polysubstance abuse disorder are all related to his active service. The appeal is granted.