Depression decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depression, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Disorder not otherwise specified is permanently and totally disabling, warranting a permanent total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant’s representative withdrawing the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to a service-connected disability or disabilities. The case is remanded for further development regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, and whether the cervical spine arthritis is aggravated by left shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right leg condition is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD) and headaches are remanded.,Further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions are needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his service-connected TBI. The examiner must provide an opinion on both issues.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, TDIU, and did not reopen the claim for tinnitus. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently service connected but his PTSD does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's skin cancer, chronic arthritis, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), osteoporosis, and cervical condition were not found to be related to his service.,All diagnoses were either not present during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, particularly their relationship to his service-connected severe right shoulder bony ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, including seizure disorder, depression, and sleep apnea. The VA will seek private treatment records and schedule examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's CRPS/RSD and unspecified depressive disorder are found to be related to service. The Board has determined that additional medical examination is needed for the low back, left hip, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service personnel records and unobtained hospital records. The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded as more information is needed, including a diagnosis of PTSD and whether it is related to in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability was denied. The Board found that the severity of the disability did not warrant a higher rating. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as he could engage in sedentary employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI.,The Veteran's low back and left knee disorders have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his depression is rated at 30 percent. The decision grants the increased rating for the right ankle disability but denies a higher rating for the depression.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated as 30 percent disabled prior to May 23, 2013, and as 50 percent disabled thereafter. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have not worsened to warrant a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent prior to July 30, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction (ED) to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU). The remand requires obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and ED, as well as a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, but the evidence is inadequate to determine whether she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of her service-connected conditions. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician regarding the functional effects of her service-connected disabilities on employment.