Depression decisions — 2018

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection of right knee disability, depression, lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea. The initial ratings for left knee lateral meniscus tear and repair with arthritis and left knee instability as residual of lateral meniscus tear and repair were also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right knee disorder, hepatitis B and/or C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder with alcohol dependence) have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. However, it was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor and the Veteran does not currently suffer from a current psychiatric disability that can be linked to his military service.

The claims for PTSD, Depression and Stress, Left Knee Disability, and Low Back Disability have been granted. The claim for Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, headaches, and major depressive disorder due to unclear etiology and need for further examination. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD. The VA needs to schedule a new examination and provide an updated opinion based on DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability and incomplete verification of in-service stressors for PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed to determine if there is a current diagnosis of PTSD and whether it is related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and determine their relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for additional treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, needs further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness. The Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and TDIU due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The cervical spine disability is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or event, and the thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and its relationship to MST, as well as her right ankle disability. The Veteran needs a VA mental health examination to determine if she meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis and whether it is related to MST.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 1, 2008. The effective date remains June 25, 2001.

The Veteran's PTSD, prior to April 15, 2013, and as of June 1, 2013, is rated at 30 percent disabling. The Board found that the severity of her psychiatric symptoms more nearly approximated a rating based on occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in a previous VA examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder. The examiner was asked to provide more detailed information on the symptoms associated with these conditions, particularly those related to hallucinations and suicidal ideations.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C due to the Veteran's willful misconduct. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent, as it is already the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The psychiatric disorder claim and hearing loss rating are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.