Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, as it was cumulative or redundant.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to lack of credible supporting evidence of the in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of vertigo and/or staggering, nor did he during the appeal period. The claim for service connection is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as level II in both ears at all relevant points in time, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's stomach problems are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's chest problems are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.,The Veteran's headaches are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's right leg condition is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.,The Veteran's left leg condition is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine, syncope, meningioma, numbness of the head, numbness right upper extremity, numbness left upper extremity, and depression due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.,VA is required to provide a VA examination or medical opinion in regard to the Veteran's claimed conditions as part of its duty to assist.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new evidence submitted since the December 2008 rating decision. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism are also REMANDED as there is insufficient medical evidence on file to make a determination.

The Veteran's DVT and psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, are granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorders (including depression and anxiety) are remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,VA has granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a cerebral concussion, secondary to head trauma, was granted. A separate noncompensable disability rating for headaches associated with TBI is also granted. The appeal regarding entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected residuals of a cerebral concussion is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and lower left extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, has been granted as it is linked to his military service.,Service connection was established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) due to the Veteran's reported experiences in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, due to lack of credible evidence supporting an in-service stressor and failure to establish a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected CAD. The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding VA treatment records from January 2014 to the present.

The Veteran's other specified depressive disorder is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's claim for psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no competent medical evidence to show that he has any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate evaluation for the Veteran's depressive disorder and whether he is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for service-connected panic disorder with persistent depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizophrenia and PTSD. The claim is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification by a VA examiner regarding the Appellant's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.