Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims of service connection for PTSD and hypertension is granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin lesions and major depressive disorder. The rating for residuals of fibroid cysts remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for alcohol dependence as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but the Veteran's liver disorder and depressive disorder are still under consideration. The initial rating claim for PTSD remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his Major Depressive Disorder was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosis. The rating for ischemic heart disease was restored from 10% to 30%, but the compensable ratings for other conditions were denied, and the Veteran's request for increased disability benefits for major depressive disorder and TDIU were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including depression, is related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service and he is granted service connection for this condition. His bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating, as the VA examination results correspond to a noncompensable evaluation. The Veteran's left leg restless leg syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of its development in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep condition and an initial increased rating for major depressive disorder, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, was incurred during military service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and erectile dysfunction (as secondary to PTSD). The claims are being remanded due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, irritability, and anxiety, are related to his service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (chronic depression) but denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder is supported by evidence showing symptoms began during service and are linked to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple issues on appeal that require further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, hand, back, foot, groin, and upper/lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as depression. The appeals are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot because her service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has been rated at 100% since April 15, 2013. As she now receives the maximum special monthly compensation available for her disabilities, and her remaining service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU, her claim is dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression warrants a rating in excess of 30 percent from December 8, 2010, to August 29, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephrolithiasis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic nephrolithiasis is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma is being remanded due to outstanding VA records from his wife and need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma, evaluated as 20 percent disabling is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 13, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy for the right upper extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy for the left upper extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded as there are outstanding records from his wife and need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder associated with residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of recent hospitalization records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded as there are no current audiometric findings in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension (high blood pressure) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his medication.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD has been denied.,The TDIU case is being remanded to determine the appropriate effective date.