Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim, including a lack of a completed Form 21-0781 or 21-0781a. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination for PTSD or other mental disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected shin splints, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA must obtain a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are granted as service connected due to the evidence showing a current disability related to combat service.

The Board has granted compensation for urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and depression due to the negligent removal of the Veteran's prostate by VA. The decision is based on the opinion that this negligence caused additional disability.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder condition.,The Veteran's right shoulder and wrist conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST) is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety and depression). The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions in service or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

Service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and heart disease has been granted.,Service connection for a left leg disorder, right leg disorder, arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and arthritis of the cervical spine have been denied.

This appeal is dismissed. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for the post-surgical status of his left knee menisci and cruciate ligament, as well as degenerative arthritis of his left knee, are dismissed. His claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for post-surgical scars of the left knee is remanded. The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension is also remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded, as well as whether the Veteran was properly compensated for his dependent spouse.,Entitlement to service connection for post-surgical scars of the left knee is remanded. The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension is also remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded, as well as whether the Veteran was properly compensated for his dependent spouse.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues related to his diabetes mellitus, type II and other disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, stomach condition, depressive disorder, dysphagia, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety have been rated at 30 percent, but he contends that his symptoms warrant a higher rating. The VA examiner found occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The appeal for a disability rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD with depression and alcoholism in full remission is dismissed. The appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, is now considered service-connected due to the submission of new evidence that supports a link between her in-service sexual assault and her current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is granted with an effective date of February 18, 2013. The issue of secondary service connection for glaucoma due to TBI is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, finding that there was no evidence of a stressor event in service to which the current diagnoses could be related.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability with nerve damage and depression with alcohol dependence, as secondary to the back disability. The Veteran's pre-existing back disability was found not to be permanently aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of BUE and BLE, and acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression due to service. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.