Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is reopened, but the Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and the relationship between his knee disabilities and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's loss of a right testicle is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is rated at 20% prior to February 5, 2015 and at 40% thereafter. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression) and peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities. The effective dates are November 13, 2008, and September 24, 2010 respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are deemed insufficient to determine if he is unemployable. A new examination and updated VA treatment records are needed to assess the cumulative effect of his conditions on employment.

The Veteran's left foot disorder, cervical spine DDD and spondylosis, and psychiatric disorders (depression and PTSD) are all remanded for further review. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to May 9, 2017, and the rating remains at 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as the need to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse), and Hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted, and the issue of increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, depression and anxiety, as there is no current diagnosis of such. The claim for rectal and colon cancer due to asbestos exposure remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, sleep apnea, and depression. The appeal for secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder effective from March 19, 2012. The Veteran's condition is considered to have been reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for additional examination. The Board also requests an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his other diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including pain disorder with psychological stressors.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His chronic low back strain remains rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety are granted service connection. The case is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of hypertension and a right eye disorder, as well as whether these conditions are secondary to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder, had its onset during service. The Board finds that the Veteran's disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychosis has been dismissed as moot because they are now eligible for treatment due to the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, or mood disorder, as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any such condition and there was no nexus to military service.