Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder due to insufficient information in the December 2016 VA examiner's opinion. The examiner did not provide a clear determination on whether the Veteran’s depression is directly related to service or secondary to his cervical spine disability, and their conclusion that it was more likely caused by alcohol dependence during a separate examination is not supported by the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and are related to his MOS as a military police officer in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and loss of use of his left hand resulted in a combined disability rating of 80 percent, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for depressive disorder effective April 11, 2014, and TDIU effective June 25, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pulmonary embolism has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, a generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of status post right knee arthroscopy has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis from April 4, 2017, has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right foot calcaneal spur, closed fracture fifth left metatarsal base, lumbar myositis, nose surgery/rhinitis, right inguinal herniorrhaphy, and depression due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression warrant a 50 percent disability rating from the time service connection was granted.,As of January 11, 2017, the Veteran’s disability picture associated with his anxiety and depression warranted a 70 percent disability rating.,The Veteran is entitled to TDIU as of January 11, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the cause of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran will need to provide more specific details about these events, and a VA examination will be conducted to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected right knee disabilities, including back and left knee conditions. The Board has determined that further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Service connection is granted for irritable bowel syndrome. The issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleeplessness (undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness), depression, and jaw disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle and right foot disorders have been reopened, as new evidence has been submitted that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims.,Service connection for OSA and ED are granted as they are found to be secondary to service-connected PTSD with depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depression is related to his service, specifically his deployment following the 9/11 attacks. As a result, the claim for service connection for depression is granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and post-traumatic stress disorder with depression and anxiety have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an SSOC considering all evidence of record, including his Vocational Rehabilitation folder.

The claim for service connection for depression is granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and for a new VA psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are referred back to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The petition to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for depression and anxiety reaction is granted. Entitlement to service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's lumbar fibromyositis remains rated at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that there are pertinent, outstanding records that have not been obtained and reviewed. The case is REMANDED for the following actions: obtaining SSA disability records; scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of PTSD.