Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to confirm a DSM-5 compliant diagnosis of PTSD and to determine if any psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service, including whether they preexisted service.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC at the (s) rate is denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated as total during the period from January 14, 2003 to February 9, 2009.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and determinations regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder, peripheral vascular disease, headaches, and bilateral lower extremity nerve disorder, all potentially related to exposure to petroleum products during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The right wrist rating claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is denied. He was granted a 30 percent rating from September 29, 2014 to May 26, 2017, but the appeal for a higher rating after that date is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder NOS is found to be of sufficient severity to require the need for assistance in performing daily activities and protecting himself from hazards, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (Personality Disorder and Depression), has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disability, and a kidney disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or other mental health conditions related to military service, and there was no chronicity of symptoms since service. For the right knee disability, the Veteran's arthritis was not shown within one year of separation from service, and continuity of symptomatology could not be established. The kidney disorder claim is pending as it has not been addressed in detail.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is attributable to service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for manic depression and PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The individual unemployability claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with depression and anxiety, due to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to that extent. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service records show diagnoses of several acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. However, the VA examinations did not provide a clear diagnosis and opinion regarding these conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain new, adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient examination reports addressing the impact of the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia and depression) have been denied. However, new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of right ear hearing loss, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia and depression). Service connection for these conditions is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected residuals of large colon resection and abdominal scar due to peritoneal adhesions have caused his depressive disorder. As a result, secondary service connection for this condition is also granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of bipolar disorder, depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder was granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability from May 31, 2013 through September 5, 2017 is granted.