Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA examination and clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and consideration of new medical records, including SSA disability determination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder with cannabis use disorder was denied. The current evaluation of 30 percent is maintained.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the right shoulder disorder claim. The psychiatric disorders including PTSD, anxiety, and depression were reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. Service connection for major depressive disorder was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to new evidence received after the substantive appeal was filed, including VA examinations and translated documents. The claims will be reconsidered with a focus on the relationship between the Veteran’s nervous disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression) and his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran died from asphyxiation due to hanging, secondary to cocaine use. The VA has determined that his death was not caused by or related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence received from VA, which may affect the service connection for PTSD and related conditions. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered without requiring new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, has been denied as the evidence of record is insufficient to establish a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's seizure disability and major depressive disorder are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 70% rating for his major depressive disorder prior to July 15, 2015. He also receives TDIU benefits prior to that date.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional records and determine if new evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to consider whether his condition warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is granted as service connected due to the continuity of symptoms since his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including Personality Disorder, Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Unspecified Depressive Disorder, and Severe Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features, has been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder resulted in symptoms including flattened affect, chronic sleep impairment, anger and irritability, panic, and difficulty establishing effective social relationships. The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for MDD.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an unspecified personality disorder, and an unspecified depressive disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's diagnosed mental disorders are found to be secondary to his personality disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bulging and deteriorating discs in the back, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's assertions of injury during service have been met, and further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.