Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and anxiety/depressive disorders, which he claims are related to military sexual trauma during his naval service. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD and alcohol abuse, but granted a TDIU based on his combined disability ratings. The case is being remanded to address the left shoulder condition and cervical spine issue.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for throat/neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and lower back disability. Additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased evaluation for unspecified mental disorder and major depressive disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal. The appeals for increased evaluations of lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities (left and right) were remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and related conditions. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records since October 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection claims for left knee disorder, headaches, psychiatric disorder, nausea, and vertigo are also remanded.

The claim is granted to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD. Service connection for asthma secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a stroke on the left side and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and anxiety, as secondary to his service-connected heart disability. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were withdrawn. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, but the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his depressive disorder due to lack of evidence on aggravation. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding in-service stressors and incomplete VA examination. The Veteran will be asked to provide more specific details about her alleged assault, and a new psychiatric examination is required.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and considering all relevant evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for PTSD. The Board also found that his major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and schizophrenia are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and low back conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence showing a link between current mental health conditions and active service. The Veteran's PTSD is presumed related to his in-service stressors, including his time during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and causation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical disability and depression, finding no evidence of in-service injury or diagnosis related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess the severity of his spine and knee conditions.