Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the appeals pertaining to sinusitis and residuals of electrical shock. The remaining issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, and hypertension, are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, an anxiety disorder other than PTSD, and a depressive disorder is granted. The issue of secondary service connection for tinnitus causing depression is also addressed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression. However, the case is remanded as additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as 'other specified trauma and stress-related disorder,' PTSD, and persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), due to new evidence. The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are linked to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his Vietnam service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis is rated at 40 percent from April 19, 2012 to May 29, 2013. The depressive disorder not otherwise specified has not been rated higher.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with PTSD is remanded, and he also has an individual unemployability claim that is being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for alcohol dependence due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence as secondary to MST.

The Board has denied service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding no evidence of a nexus to military service or presumptive exposure. The Veteran's pain disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder are remanded for further development.,Service connection is also denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions: pain disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features moderately severe.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's November 2013 claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is a new claim rather than a motion to reopen. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private or VA treatment records and conducting a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any diagnosed mental disorders and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify service dates and obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection are still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a seizure disorder and increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder with PTSD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected psychiatric disorders and his claimed conditions. The VA will obtain additional evidence, arrange for an examination, and consider whether 'staged rating' is appropriate.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify the appellant's service records and to obtain any outstanding military personnel or service treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that the condition began during service.,Service connection for depression is denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case as required by previous Board directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, asthma, diabetes, and hearing loss, render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU since July 23, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that her conditions do not prevent her from performing sedentary work.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, needs further examination and evidence collection before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development of records, including verification of in-service stressors.