Depression decisions — 2017

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional records and determine if new evidence supports reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, but these claims are not granted as there is no competent evidence showing a nexus between current psychiatric disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and thus grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for lumbar sacroiliitis with left lumbar facet syndrome and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD and the preponderance of the evidence weighs against a relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability and anxiety, but denied increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's depression is linked to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is due to his active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the initial grant of service connection for major depressive disorder with substance abuse was denied by the Board. The effective date assigned is March 13, 2009, which is the date his claim to reopen was received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is causally related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to questions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The issue of reopening a claim for migraine headaches is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's mood disorder and personality disorder existed prior to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including heart disability, depression, diabetes, atrophy of the testicles, hiatal hernia (chronic indigestion), varicose veins, and hypothyroidism, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to verify his duty assignment on June 23, 1987 at Fort Hood, Texas with the 489th Engineer Battalion. The Board will seek clarification of this information in order to determine if he witnessed a helicopter crash that may have contributed to his psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in previous examinations and a need to address specific medical opinions.

The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service and denies the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and costochondritis is being reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the costochondritis claim, but not for the depression claim. Service connection will be decided on its merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, requires further development due to conflicting medical opinions and unverified in-service stressor.