Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and adjustment disorder, as secondary to service-connected disability. The case is now pending for a VA examination and opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder(s) and whether it was caused or aggravated by his ulcerated colitis, Crohn's disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and bilateral arm disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his current depression. The claim for service connection for depression is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to address various aspects such as whether any pre-existing psychiatric disorder existed prior to service, if current disorders are related to service or personality disorders, and whether any substance abuse disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by the psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder, secondary to his right shoulder disability has been granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains under review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder, secondary to his right shoulder disability has been granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, insomnia, and anxiety, are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the original September 2010 rating decision, thus the claim is not final. The Veteran's service records do not show any psychiatric symptoms during service, but he was diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and anxiety after service. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a lack of contemporaneous medical records. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA psychiatric examination by an appropriate medical professional.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression, insomnia, anxiety, nightmares) as the evidence did not show an in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression. The appeal is granted to this extent only, and the claims of service connection for low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including intermittent explosive disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorder and depression) are remanded.

The appeal for service connection for emphysema is dismissed.,Service connection for a disability of the bilateral legs is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a lumbosacral strain (claimed as back condition) and depression, secondary to a low back condition are remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a disability of the bilateral feet, secondary to a low back condition is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a thoracic aortic aneurysm is remanded.

Service connection for lumbar spondylosis is granted. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and major depressive disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's claimed stressor relates to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and whether his diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, and depressive disorder. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia was denied as there is no evidence of a disability.,Effective dates for left hip, hand, and psychiatric disabilities were denied prior to the date of claims or when entitlement arose.

The Veteran's cognitive disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and psychotic disorder, was granted a 100% disability rating effective from March 10, 2004.

The Veteran's cognitive disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and psychotic disorder, was granted a 100% disability rating effective from March 10, 2004.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether he has PTSD and if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, right leg L4-L5 rami-irritability (claimed as secondary to a low back disability), and depression due to incomplete records and lack of medical opinions regarding service connection.