Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an addendum from the November 2016 examiner. The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including panic disorder with agoraphobia (claimed as depression and anxiety).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorder) and a heart disability as secondary to a psychiatric disability are in dispute.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective April 29, 2008, as the evidence shows he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining clarification on his diagnoses and opinions regarding service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding no medical relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and either his service or his service-connected adductors myositis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded to obtain updated treatment records, a VA examination, and further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide her with a VA examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia due to (or as a consequence of) small cell lung cancer. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes, PTSD, and MDD contributed materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD and there was no credible evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for an updated VA examination and opinion to assess the current severity of the Veteran's mood disorder, including sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression. The issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is also inextricably intertwined with the claim for an initial compensable rating for mood disorder, so it must be deferred until the mood disorder issue is resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor is verified, and he should be afforded a VA examination to determine if he currently has an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, related to this verified stressor. If granted, service connection for PTSD will be established.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 4, 2006 for the award of a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision and is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals from a head cyst removal are service-connected, but his bilateral foot disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse, are related to his service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his active military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran's adjustment disorder is etiologically related to his military service or to a service-connected disability, and grants service connection for adjustment disorder.