Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum medical opinion to address the proper legal standard with respect to service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional records, including SSA disability benefits records. The issues of service connection for depression and an increased rating for hypertension will be addressed in a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted as the evidence supports that these conditions began in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing, and the appeal is not ready for appellate review.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal regarding the reopening and service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, alcoholism, insomnia, and drug dependency. As a result, the Board dismisses the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder with anxiety is related to stressful events and incidents of his military service in Korea, as a heavy anti-armor weapons infantryman from 1987 to 1989. Resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to schedule a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board has ordered a remand to complete verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and to schedule a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity caused by witnessing a mine explosion during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating prior to June 14, 2011 has been withdrawn. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal and it is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to June 2, 2014. The appeal is for a higher rating.,A September 2014 rating decision granted an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from June 2, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorder and a sleep apnea examination. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the overlap between service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, as well as reopening of several previously denied claims. The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Board hearing. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), bladder cancer, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability are still pending.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be related to his service, granting service connection. The issues of higher initial ratings for the spine and TDIU are remanded due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including PTSD, shoulder disorders, back disorder, alcohol abuse, neck disorder, and sleep apnea. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression diagnosed as Depressive Disorder NOS, is granted.