Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the last final denial supports a diagnosis of PTSD and grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran's anxiety and depression are also granted as secondary to his diagnosed PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is remanded for further examination to determine the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, has not been manifested by symptoms that would warrant a higher initial disability rating of more than 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety and depressive disorder, service connection for vision problems, and service connection for vertigo as secondary to multiple sclerosis due to new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.,Service connection was also denied for PTSD due to lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including dysthymia, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is not found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to July 29, 2008. From July 29, 2008 to March 31, 2014, the rating was increased to 70 percent. After that date, a higher rating of over 70 percent is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her military service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was granted a 100 percent disability rating effective from September 2012. The Board also remanded issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including back condition, cataracts, hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disability, hypertension, stomach condition (including dysmenorrhea), sickle cell anemia, thyroid disease, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's depression with cognitive disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disability, as well as for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records since January 2015.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it was caused by noise exposure during service.,PTSD and depression/anxiety are granted on the merits, with a reasonable possibility of being related to service based on credible testimony and medical evidence.

A rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's back disability is granted from July 16, 2009.,A rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted from November 5, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition and insufficient evidence to link it to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder with anxiety and PTSD is remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2014 VA examination, which did not consider the Veteran's March 2014 hospitalizations or his diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his military service. The VA examiner will need to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an addendum VA examination to address service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as a new VA examination for thoracic strain. The claims will be reconsidered after these examinations are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and hypertension is granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service events linked to his current conditions and provided sufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for TBI and major depressive disorder as more development is needed, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer, and depression claimed as due to pes planus and erectile dysfunction are all pending.