Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for the entire appeal period. The claim of service connection for major depressive disorder remains open as the Veteran did not receive a Statement of the Case (SOC). The TDIU claim is remanded to consider whether extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has found that an additional remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disability was caused or aggravated by his service. The case is being returned for further examination and a new opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran must be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and pending claims for increased ratings. The appellant's request for substitution as a claimant is also being considered.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep apnea due to lack of current evidence or inadequate examination reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for a back disability and depression. The evidence submitted since the prior final decision was not new or material, as it did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to her active military service. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis claim was also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to her service-connected lumbar myositis.

The Veteran's HIV related illness and chronic adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety are granted service connection. The low back disability and skin cancer claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, is granted. The rating for this condition has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated as 50 percent disabling, hypertension is not service-connected, and the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 30, 2015 is also granted.

The claims of service connection for depression/adjustment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, diabetes, and back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his depressive disorder did not directly lead to the fatal stabbing by his child's mother. The Board concluded that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s depression to the actions of the mother.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS has been reopened, and the Board is granting this aspect of his appeal. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders (including as secondary to tinnitus), and sleep disorder are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The appeal regarding left knee and foot disorders is remanded.