Depression decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, as there was no in-service event or injury that caused the current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as his helplessness was due to nonservice-connected disabilities such as stroke and brain cancer. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for accrued benefits purposes is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The appeal is not about service connection under Chapter 17.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied. The Veteran also maintains entitlement to a TDIU on a schedular basis, which was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his service. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if any diagnosed disorders, including depression and PTSD, are at least as likely as not caused by in-service stressors.

The Veteran's joint and muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disorder, liver disorder, memory loss, headaches, and depression are presumed to be related to his service in the Persian Gulf. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and persistent depressive disorder are rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that they warrant a higher 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has found conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, and thus remands for further examination to clarify the diagnoses and determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD with major depression has been dismissed as the appeal is not properly before the Board due to the full grant of service connection and no further case or controversy exists.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed mental disorders, including whether any are related to service or sexual trauma in-service. The Veteran is required to provide records from private or VA treatment providers and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and depression with psychotic features are not service-connected. However, the Veteran is granted basic eligibility for non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused significant occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current 70% rating is appropriate given his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of depression was incurred in service due to a stressor related to his son's death during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and his military service. The Veteran was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2001, but there is no medical opinion linking it to his service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and General Anxiety Disorder, due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for a higher rating for low back strain with spondylolisthesis. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability from the other two issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that his current mood disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination and issues with communication. The Veteran is seeking service connection for MDD and PTSD, which he contends are related to his combat experiences in Korea.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.