Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection on all of his claimed disabilities is being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations and obtain necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety, major depression, and bipolar disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for PTSD, TDIU, and SMC have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to an extraschedular rating for lumbosacral strain and a higher rating for his mood disorder, depression, depressive disorder, NOS, and major depressive disorder. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of decompression sickness, including depression, chronic fatigue, and memory impairment. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to altitude decompression sickness.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, and also denied a claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is denied as not related to his service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression).

All service connection claims for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left knee medial meniscus tear, right knee disability (secondary to left knee), and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as depressive disorder NOS) due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required for each issue.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's testimony and VA treatment records indicate multiple diagnoses of psychiatric disorders, necessitating a new examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's left and right foot hammertoes are granted a 10% disability rating. The claim for service connection of major depressive disorder with psychological dependence is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for scoliosis is also remanded as the nature and etiology need further clarification.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated at 70 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board's June 2016 decision was based on an inadequate examination of the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disability, and thus is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the initial rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to March 14, 2013 is being remanded due to procedural issues related to a notice of disagreement filed in March 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and major depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not due to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected lymphocytic colitis. His anxiety and depression are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, headaches, and colitis. The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a rating of 50 percent effective August 8, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee and foot disabilities, right knee disability, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, chronic liver disease, pancreatitis, atherosclerotic renal disease (chronic kidney disease), diabetes mellitus type II, psychiatric disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea. The decision was based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for service connection for depression was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no link between current psychiatric disorder and service. Bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were also denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.