Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, and requests additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, hypertension (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), erectile dysfunction, chronic headache disorder, left and right lower extremity disorders, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remands.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety, secondary to service-connected narcolepsy, and for TMJ. A new examination is needed to clarify the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and need for further development, including consideration of Persian Gulf Service considerations.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, but his TBI claim remains denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder remains at 50 percent, but the effective date is changed to July 14, 2014.,Service connection for a rib disorder is remanded due to lack of VA examination and etiology assessment.,An increased rating for the lumbar spine disability is granted from January 30, 2012, but the effective date remains at January 30, 2012. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 15, 1995 for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's depression with alcohol and substance abuse was rated at 50 percent prior to November 13, 2008. The appeal is denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals on the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and recurrent major depression with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder without agoraphobia due to his withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran has PTSD as a result of his military service, and therefore grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent since April 8, 2008 and a TDIU effective from April 8, 2008. The decision grants the increased rating for depression but denies any increase in disability rating beyond 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder with psychosis. The rating in excess of 40 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for PTSD and depression is granted, with the stressor of military sexual trauma (MST) being accepted based on corroborating evidence from other sources. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the spine is granted at a 20 percent rating effective May 14, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including myxoid liposarcoma of the right leg/groin and pelvis, chronic pain/chronic fatigue syndrome associated with it, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, premature menopause, loss of her right ovary, carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve damage to the right leg (lower extremity neuropathy), an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), insomnia, and temporomandibular joint disorder with dislocated jaw. The denial is based on a lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was reopened due to new evidence. The claim is granted as the evidence shows a relationship between the current psychiatric condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, granted, and her major depressive disorder was granted service connection. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), including anxiety and depression, is related to his active service. The cervical spine disability is not directly related to service but may be due to exposure to burn pits during service. Tension headaches are linked to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and the Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The claim for PTSD, anxiety, and depression is still pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD and DA are granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DA.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted.