Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim remains denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for all issues related to service connection, including insomnia, nerve damage, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and malignant melanoma have been granted. The claim for a skin disorder other than malignant melanoma to include sarcoma is remanded. The claim for scars on the face, neck, ears, and cheeks is also remanded.,PTSD and persistent depressive disorder are now service-connected. Malignant melanoma remains in dispute due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide exposure or service. A skin disorder other than malignant melanoma (to include sarcoma) and scars on the face, neck, ears, and cheeks also require further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The appeal is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding secondary service connection for right hand disability, hepatitis C, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Bilateral Pes Planus, and Chondrocalcinosis of the Left Knee, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The remanded issues include obtaining updated medical records, including those from 1991, and obtaining a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further development is needed to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The case of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to service-connected paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and/or now service-connected sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for various arthritis disabilities. The Veteran's service records show a diagnosis of anxiety reaction in 1990, but the VA opinion is based on inaccurate facts. Additional examinations are needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, diabetes mellitus type 2, kidney condition, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension have all been denied.,There is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors underlying the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is denied, but his claim for Depressive Disorder is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spondylosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide private treatment records, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his in-service personal assaults. The case will be returned for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for sinusitis was dismissed. Major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were granted service connection. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, hemorrhoids, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating from August 11, 2010 to December 3, 2013. A higher rating is denied since December 4, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other non-PTSD conditions such as adjustment disorder with depressed mood, depression, dysthymia, and unspecified insomnia. The claim is based on credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor involving witnessing severe burn injuries.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as bipolar disorder. The case is remanded to determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the current acquired psychiatric disorders pre-existed service or are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand disability, back disability, and depression have been denied. The claim for service connection for headaches has been granted. Service connection for the Veteran's erectile dysfunction associated with right orchiectomy remains noncompensable.,The Board found that new and material evidence had been presented to reopen claims for service connection for a left hand disability, back disability, and depression. However, the rating for the Veteran's erectile dysfunction associated with right orchiectomy remains unchanged.