Depression decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The claim was also denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the right hip with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS with anxiety, NOS is rated at 100 percent and he has other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. Therefore, the Veteran qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression and claimed as secondary to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the nature of his current psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is also referred to the AOJ as it may impact the TDIU determination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hallux valgus and an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable criteria, and there was no basis to find an earlier effective date for the major depressive disorder.

The claim for hiatal hernia/GERD is denied as it has not been reopened. The MDD increased rating claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability (to include various mood disorders) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor of an aircraft fire and his service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The AOJ must verify this stressor and request additional information from the Veteran’s service personnel records before scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, has been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent only. The secondary service connection issue remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from July 2010, with a grant of an increased evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and development of stressor claims. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are currently under consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information provided by previous VA examinations regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The Veteran needs a new examination to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of all submitted evidence, including a private psychiatric evaluation from November 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and because of a change in the rating criteria for mental disorders.

The Veteran's major depression and anxiety disorder are found to be aggravated by his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for hemorrhoids/hemorrhoidectomy, effective from the date of grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board has recharacterized the claim as including unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, but the appeal remains remanded due to the need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No service connection decisions were made.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis, left knee osteoarthritis (to include as secondary to right knee disability), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression). The case is remanded for further development.