Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder and unspecified trauma and stressor disorder are related to his military service, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise for the claim.

The Board has recharacterized the issue on appeal as encompassing a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's service connection claim is remanded due to incomplete medical records and notification issues.

An initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD) is granted prior to July 25, 2017. The Veteran's MDD and impulse control disorders are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as specific phobia disorder. However, it denied the claims for depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus, the first requirement for service connection was not met. For his lumbar spine disability, the Veteran received an initial rating of 40 percent prior to March 12, 2018, under the old criteria, which is now rated as 20 percent disabling under the new General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (DC 5243). The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's stressors, lack of VA examination for psychiatric disorders, and need for verification of National Guard service. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to new evidence received after the initial rating decision and an attorney's brief. The claim will be reconsidered with this additional information.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% for the period from May 10, 2016 forward. The Veteran's depressive disorder remains at a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, substance abuse, and an acquired mental disorder (including depression and/or anxiety) due to insufficient explanation of the VA examiner's opinion regarding a significant threshold shift in the Veteran’s hearing acuity during service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed, and the earlier effective date claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The claims for aid and attendance, left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, hypertension, cervical myofascial pain syndrome/right trapezius myositis, migraine headaches, unspecified depressive disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of major depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee injury.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety due to new evidence received since the final July 2013 rating decisions. However, additional development is needed as a VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and major depressive disorder, and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and alcohol use disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, ADHD, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, and psychotic disorder. The case is remanded for a neck condition examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are granted as they are related to service.