Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, but the cause of death (cardiac arrest) is related to his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that a medical opinion is needed to determine if PTSD caused or aggravated alcoholism/alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and alcohol abuse was granted a 70% disability evaluation for the period prior to June 11, 2007.,Entitlement to TDIU was granted effective from August 3, 2006.

Your claims for increased PTSD, erectile dysfunction rating, and TDIU are being remanded to review additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression, weight loss, sleep problems, and difficulty adapting to social situations was dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to military sexual trauma. The evidence now shows that her PTSD and other mental health conditions are more likely a direct result of her in-service MST.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received after a previous SSOC. The Veteran is diagnosed with an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, Adjustment Disorder and a depressive disorder, and a skin disability possibly related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective date due to outstanding medical records. The Veteran's SSA records, VA treatment records, and private treatment records are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to discrepancies in diagnoses and need for clarification from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is found to have substantially contributed to his death, which was caused by sepsis and leukemia. Therefore, the cause of death is deemed service connected.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for major depression and headaches, as well as inadequate evaluations of her radiculopathy and DDD.

The Veteran's reduction of the rating for post-concussion cephalgia (headaches) from 10 percent to 0 percent was not proper, and his rating is restored. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and evaluation in excess of 10 percent for post-concussion cephalgia are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional information and examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, including a psychiatric evaluation to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, an updated examination for his service-connected coccyx fracture, and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for mixed headaches with vascular and muscle contraction components.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his conditions, particularly regarding his TBI and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are being remanded for further evaluation due to worsening symptoms and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for sleep apnea was dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of rating lumbar strain, left leg disability (stress fracture), anxiety and depression, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and urinary incontinence, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his conditions preclude him from engaging in such employment.