Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent from November 9, 2014 to February 23, 2016. The rating remains unchanged for the period after February 23, 2016.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various conditions, including arthritis, back injury residuals, muscle neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The missing VA treatment records from April 1972 to October 2000 are needed. An addendum opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability was aggravated by his second period of active service.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of frostbite is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depression, as well as incomplete records. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for depression was granted. His initial evaluation for left knee strain remains denied.,His claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and hypersomnia are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal as to diabetes mellitus, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, cervical spine disorder, left knee condition, right knee condition, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorder, residuals of a head injury, and migraine headaches have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to a traumatic event in service and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of a stomach disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal and granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and major depressive disorder has been granted, as well as claims for residuals of a laceration to the face above the left eye, upper body disorders including a left shoulder disorder, and tinnitus. The appeals were reopened due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination or opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and depressive disorder as well as his TDIU claim due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The cases of multiple sclerosis, left leg disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic injury of the spine, neck, and back as well as psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The decision was based on lack of new and material evidence for the former claim and insufficient evidence linking the psychiatric disorder to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of seizures. Service connection is granted for COPD including emphysema, and the case is remanded for further evaluation on issues related to tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, alcohol dependence, and major depressive disorder are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).