Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is to be readjudicated after scheduling a VA examination and considering all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is proximately due to his service-connected low back disability. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative balance for and against this claim, granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating for his obsessive-compulsive disorder with depression from February 1, 2002 to February 16, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, hydrophobia, anxiety, and depression was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD. The other conditions are not considered to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and reviewing all submitted evidence. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are to be considered in determining his ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, and his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, but not for a bilateral foot disability.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's statements and medical records showing a current psychiatric diagnosis are considered new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD, had its onset during her active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral foot disability, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected IPH or establishes service connection for any of the other conditions he seeks.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with DDD and IVDS. The rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism, and vocal cord dysfunction. The conditions are deemed to be unrelated to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and sleep disorder due to the need for further development. The Veteran's service records indicate potential stressors that may support a diagnosis of PTSD, but the VA examiner must provide an opinion on whether these criteria are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of his lay statements regarding past depression and suicide attempts.

The Veteran is found to have major depressive disorder that was caused by an in-service incident, and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was aggravated by her second period of active duty service. The cervical spine/neck disorder and headaches were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are service-connected, as is his tinnitus. His peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and asbestosis are not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, a back disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity numbness, chronic migraines, anxiety and depressive disorders, and bilateral hip and knee disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.